When you score 28 goals and 94 points in a single season, you deserve to have all the good things in the world. Perhaps you're interested in a Ferrari? Maybe you want a six-bedroom mansion? Whatever the case, the world is yours.
For Jack Eichel, he's on his way to earning such things. According to David Pagnotta on Thursday, the Golden Knights have begun contract extension talks with the superstar center. The former second-overall pick is in the final year of an eight-year, $80 million contract.
This comes on the heels of the Golden Knights announcing a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they acquired Mitch Marner for Nicolas Roy. They signed the former "Core Four" member to an eight-year deal worth $96 million on Monday.
Of course, it appears that Kelly McCrimmon and company aren't done with acquiring assets. They are currently in trade discussions with the Calgary Flames over Rasmus Andersson, who seems to be willing to give his left kidney to join the Golden Knights.
According to Puckpedia, Vegas has $20.38 million in available salary cap space for the 2026-27 season, giving them plenty of wiggle room. There's also the Pavel Dorofeyev contract extension that waits in the wings, though. The Russian winger is a restricted free agent after 2025-26 and he won't be cheap, either.
Still, business is booming for the Vegas Golden Knights
The sudden roster overhaul shouldn't come as a surprise for hockey fans. When you're eliminated by your bitter rivals in the second round, you're searching for answers to incoming problems. That's how Kelly McCrimmon has been operating this offseason, picking up Mitch Marner and inquiring about Rasmus Andersson.
But giving Eichel his long-awaited contract extension provides the foundation for long-term success. Without him, all these moves are useless. How will you survive without your reliable two-way forward making plays on all 200 feet of the ice?
You can say, "oH, jUsT sIgN cOnNoR mCdAvId," yet that isn't a given. A $15-16 million price tag would be too much for even McCrimmon to handle, specifically since he needs to focus on other areas to improve the team. Plus, he's likely to sign elsewhere given his potential price tag.
Still, business is booming in Las Vegas. That's always a good thing, specifically if you're looking to re-sign your biggest superstar in Eichel. That way, you can make some heads explode across the NHL and watch people flood Lake Mead with their tears.