Vegas Golden Knights fans are fortunate to have Kelly McCrimmon as their general manager. He gets big names like Jack Eichel on the team and makes the toughest decisions. For example, he let Jonathan Marchessault walk after the former Conn Smythe winner wanted an extra year. Gee, I wonder how that's working out for him?
Anyway, this post isn't about an "Original Misfit" worried about where his kid plays peewee hockey next. This concerns a Hart Trophy candidate who's on pace for a career year. You already know the numbers, but it bears repeating.
Eichel has 39 points (fourth in the NHL entering Tuesday), with 30 coming from assists (second in the NHL entering Tuesday). Hockey fans expecting a breakout year from the four-time All-Star are being treated well. Finally, the 28-year-old is becoming the superstar he was destined to be.
While that's all good, there's some shocking news on the horizon. Eichel's deal is set to expire after the 2025-26 season. That presents a big problem for McCrimmon and company, who were busy locking up key players for another Stanley Cup run. Can they keep Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Brett Howden, AND Jack Eichel?
It's actually more plausible than you think. For one, Gary Bettman announced at the Board of Governors meeting that the salary cap is expected to jump to $92.4 million starting next season. That gives Kelly McCrimmon all the feelings in the world as he sets up another contract extension.
Factors affecting a Jack Eichel extension
Of course, some factors are involved with giving Jack Eichel a contract extension. First, he must stay healthy and on the ice. That means avoiding lower-body injuries, which have plagued the 4 Nations Face-Off representative in recent years.
It's what cut off promising campaigns in the last two seasons. Eichel had 66 points in 2022-23 (27 goals and 39 assists) and 68 points in 2023-24 (31 goals and 37 assists), with both seasons shortened by such injuries. Health could decide how long and how much money the center gets in his next deal.
There are also his linemates to consider. Sure, he's done well playing with teammates like Nicolas Roy and even elevated Jonathan Marchessault to a career-high in goals last season (42). But when you're playing with Cal Burke, you can only get so much from him on your right wing.
Still, he has no problem getting lineup regulars to produce, making him a valuable asset. He did this with Marchessault last season and is doing this with linemates, Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone. Therefore, fans shouldn't sweat this aspect too much regarding a contract extension.
So what does a Jack Eichel extension look like?
Let's say for argument's sake that Jack Eichel stays healthy the entire 2024-25 season and competes for the Hart Trophy. The Vegas Golden Knights go on another deep Stanley Cup playoff run as a result. They even win the Stanley Cup for a second time in three years.
Now let's say that Eichel carries that momentum over to 2025-26 (if he's not extended during the summer). If everything goes well, Kelly McCrimmon should hand him an eight-year, $96 million deal. So why does this make sense for Eichel and not, say, Marchessault?
For one, age matters. The "Original Misfit" stood at 33 years old when he was a free agent. Compare that to Eichel being 29 on October 28 and the deal makes more sense. The former second-overall pick is also bigger than Marchessault, standing at 6'2" and weighing 206 lbs (Marchessault is 5'9" and 185 lbs.)
You're also not worrying about a deteriorating defensive game right after signing him, nor are you worried about other players buoying Eichel. In fact, the center is the type of player you'd build your franchise around. He elevates his linemates offensively, setting up prime scoring opportunites for everyone.
It doesn't matter if it's the power play or even strength. You can count on the 28-year-old superstar to rush down the ice in transition, setting up Barbashev for a odd-man rush goal. In fact, it wouldn't be crazy to add another year if McCrimmon feels he can do it. That's especially true with the Golden Knights in Eichel's hands.