This is a scenario you probably don't want to hear, dear reader. But let's envision a scary scenario with fans on the edge of their seats. What would happen if the Vegas Golden Knights didn't extend Jack Eichel come... Opening Knight?
But! Hear me out for a second. I know the scenario sounds scary. Some fans aren't ready for the looming drama of having your favorite player potentially leave town. After all, some people are still reeling from Jonathan Marchessault becoming an aspiring country star.
What if it were an Adin Hill situation where he signs an extension in March? Let's say that everything turned out perfectly fine in the end and the hometown hero continues his Las Vegas residency.
There's a bit of an effect to his payday based on his performance here. Obviously, he could be paid more if he does well. That's as apparent as a Booger McFarland take.
But his 2025-26 performance doesn't just affect whether he gets paid. There's also an important pending free agent after next season who needs a steady payday. A stellar Eichel season could take a hit on his next paycheck.
Pavel Dorofeyev could be affected by Jack Eichel's performance after 2025-26
Believe it or not, Dorofeyev will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season. His price tag is also expected to rise after a breakout 2024-25 season, where he scored a team-leading 35 goals.
Think about it this way. The Golden Knights will have $20.375 million heading into the 2026-27 season. If Eichel's performance boosts his price tag higher than $13 million AAV, that'll cut into Dorofeyev's payday.
Granted, the Russian winger probably won't get a hefty check like Jason Robertson did with the Dallas Stars. But his cut will also dig into the Golden Knights cap space, leaving little wiggle room in the free agency realm.
Keep in mind that the Vegas prospect pool for forwards is in a state of flux right now. Some players either aren't ready for the NHL yet or won't be NHL-caliber talents. Aside from Trevor Connelly and Mathieu Cataford, who else can you rely on to carry the load? While both players are trending in the right direction, there's no guarantee that both will be ready by 2026-27.
All of this can be solved by the Vegas Golden Knights getting locked in before the season starts
Now, I won't panic if Jack Eichel isn't signed by Opening Knight. Kelly McCrimmon has a proven track record of signing players during the regular season (see Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb). That alone is enough to inspire confidence in the general manager getting something done.
However, it's better to lock in his value while it's still good. A $12.5 million AAV deal that suddenly rises in price is a major missed opportunity, even with the salary cap rising to $104 million in 2026-27. There's only so much dumpster diving a general manager can do before your Stanley Cup contention window runs out.
If that price tag rises, that also hurts Dorofeyev's next deal. Fans can look at the $5.5 million AAV deal that Nicolas Hague got in Nashville and see how the Golden Knights were priced out here. You're not paying a defenseman primarily used for forechecking and backchecking purposes that much money. But for Dorofeyev? That's worth every penny.
Overall, there is a need for bona fide goal-scorers and puck-movers. That's where Eichel and Dorofeyev come in. You're not acquiring Mitch Marner to be the only guy. He needs a sidekick, which is where No. 9 comes in.
As for the Russian winger? He shoots the puck and can snipe. If you're hoping to win another Stanley Cup, locking in your top unit while they're young is an absolute must. He's a player you definitely don't want to price out.