Insider Says Jack Eichel Could Command Historic Deal With Golden Knights

Ahead of the 2021/22 season, the Vegas Golden Knights used a blockbuster package to land then Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel, and it's clearly paid off big time for them.

Eichel was a key part of their first ever Stanley Cup run in 2023, and in 2024/25, he put up career highs across the board, tallying 28 goals and 94 points in just 77 games played with the team.

That comes right in time for Eichel to hit free agency in the summer of 2026, and given that he's still only 28-years of age, it's safe to say that he's going to get paid in free agency.

For the most part, the expectation is for that new deal to come with the Golden Knights, and could potentially even happen before the summer of 2026, and now, we know just what that may cost.

According to recent reports from NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, Eichel's next deal could surpass Leon Draisaitl's as the biggest AAV in the NHL, with Seravalli revealing it could go as high as $15 million per season (although Connor McDavid may quickly surpass that deal too).

On paper, keeping Eichel around is a must for the Golden Knights, but unfortunately, it will have a major impact on the rest of the team, as $15 million AAV represents a $5 million per season upgrade, one that may stop them from bringing in other free agents or retaining other stars.

Ultimately though, Eichel is a superstar and the face of the Golden Knights franchise, meaning that the team need to keep him around, and while that may mean losing other players, the Golden Knights need to get a deal done, and it's one that may have major ramifications for the organization moving forward.