The Vegas Golden Knights have found themselves in the headlines after landing the best free agent of this year's class in former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner.
Flying under the radar because of the magnitude of the Marner sign-and-trade, Vegas is involved in an equally important piece of business regarding another of the franchise's forwards.
That would be convincing star center Jack Eichel to sign a contract extension with the Golden Knights, one he became eligible for on July 1.
In a promising update, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported on Thursday that the team has begun negotiations with Eichel, who is entering the final season of his eight-year, $80 million contract.
“Speaking of Vegas, the Golden Knights have started contract negotiations with Jack Eichel on an extension,” Pagnotta wrote.
Eichel, 28, set a franchise record with 94 points in 77 regular-season games last season and is widely expected to remain with Vegas long-term.
Eichel became eligible to sign a maximum-length, eight-year extension the same day the team introduced Marner following a sign-and-trade with Toronto.
Although Marner is currently the highest-paid player in Golden Knights history at an annual cap hit of $12 million per season, Eichel could top that figure once he signs his new contract.
Beat reporter Danny Webster confirmed those expectations on July 1, coinciding with the start of Eichel’s contract-extension window.
“Jack Eichel is now eligible for an 8-year contract extension to make him the highest-paid player in Golden Knights history,” Webster posted.
The Golden Knights acquired Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres via trade in Nov. 2021. The center led the franchise to its first and only Stanley Cup in 2023, one year after Vegas missed the playoffs for the only time in franchise history.
Eichel will become an unrestricted free agen
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