Jack Eichel returns to the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. If you saw the headline above, it reads like the perfect copywriting headline to sell an advertisement. If you wanted anything Eichel-related, well, you're probably going to buy his merchandise in bulk.
Anyways, Eichel appeared in a red no-contact jersey at Monday's practice. While he isn't playing in Monday's game against the Minnesota Wild, the news is great nevertheless.
Jack Eichel is on the ice in a red jersey for optional morning skate.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 29, 2025
He has been ruled out for tonight's game.
Eichel has 12 goals and 29 assists this season, amounting to a team-leading 41 points. That includes 16 power play assists, showing Golden Knights fans why he's worth every penny of his new eight-year, $13.5 million AAV deal. He has been out since December 13 with a combination of an illness and a lower-body injury, leaving the Golden Knights with their premier playmaker.
But now? The big dog is back in the house and ready to roll. He already set the single-season franchise record in both assists (66) and points (94) last season. Although he suffered a minor injury setback this season, the former second-overall pick looks to match (and even exceed) those marks again.
What this means for Vegas is that the team finally gets its superstar back into the mix. That much is true. But he also joins a rolling offense that has scored 18 goals in the past four games entering Monday. Of course, you have your other additives, including improved special teams and better overall defense.
You can't deny that Eichel means more to the team than people realize. He adds another element to the Golden Knights' attack, whether he's playing on even strength or the power play. That's true for every franchise center that plays at an elite level, which is what makes Eichel special.
Sometimes, it takes one player returning from an injury to start a trend. Our society is based around this weird little idea and having Eichel back in the fold could start a chain reaction. Maybe Adin Hill returns soon? Perhaps we see William Karlsson before the Olympic break?
Keep your fingers crossed, Golden Knights fans. Business is about to pick up (as Jim Ross would say)!