The Vegas Golden Knights are known for their bold moves, and with Jack Eichel eligible for a contract extension, the hockey world is buzzing. Could the star center be in line for a massive payday, potentially reaching the $13-$14 million average annual value (AAV) stratosphere? Or is a figure closer to the Mitch Marner deal more realistic? Let’s break down the latest Jack Eichel news and what it means for the Golden Knights.
Recent chatter, amplified by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, suggests the Vegas front office is playing chess, not checkers. The pending, though not yet official, acquisition and extension of Mitch Marner to a reported eight-year, $12 million AAV contract is a significant move. It’s hard to imagine that a team as forward-thinking as the Golden Knights wouldn’t have looped in their franchise center, Jack Eichel, on such a landscape-altering decision.
This is where the speculation about Eichel’s next deal truly ignites.
Eichel’s Market Value: A Legitimate $13-$14 Million Player?
There’s a strong argument to be made that Jack Eichel, a Conn Smythe winner and the engine of the Golden Knights’ offense, is worth north of $12 million on the open market. He’s a dynamic, point-producing number one center, a commodity that commands top dollar in the NHL. When you look at the contracts of players like Auston Matthews ($13.25M AAV) and Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6M AAV), placing Eichel in the $13-$14 million bracket isn’t outlandish. He has proven his health, his leadership, and his ability to perform in the most critical moments.
However, the Vegas Golden Knights operate in a world with a hard salary cap. While they are masters of cap gymnastics, fitting two players at or above $12 million AAV, alongside their other high-priced talents, presents a significant challenge. This is likely why conversations between Eichel’s camp and the Golden Knights’ management are crucial. They need to find a number that rewards Eichel for his elite status while allowing the team to remain a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
The Marner Deal as a Benchmark
This brings us back to the Marner contract. My take is that the rumored $12 million AAV for Marner will serve as an internal benchmark for the Eichel negotiations. While Eichel is arguably more valuable to Vegas as their top center, signing him to the same deal demonstrates a commitment from both the player and the team to keep the championship window wide open. An eight-year, $12 million AAV contract for Eichel would be a massive win for both sides. It would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league, a deserving status, while providing the Golden Knights with cost certainty for another of their cornerstone players.
While an official announcement on an Eichel extension isn’t expected to be imminent, expect it to be a major storyline this offseason. The Golden Knights didn’t bring Eichel to Vegas to let him walk away. They will get a deal done, and I’m betting it mirrors the Marner agreement, solidifying their top-end talent for years to come.
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