NHL Rumors: Insider Proposes Jaw-Dropping Amount Jack Eichel Could Get On Next Contract

Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel reacts during 2025 game.

The Vegas Golden Knights may need to break NHL salary records to keep their superstar center.

With one year left on his current deal, Jack Eichel is eligible to sign an extension, but insiders believe it won’t come cheap. Insider Frank Seravalli suggested Eichel could demand over $15 million annually, which would make him the highest-paid player in the league.

'I think what you're talking about with Jack Eichel is a $15M plus AAV deal. He's been that good' - Frank Seravalli

Well, his total Сontribution is above $15M, yes, but Paid Сontribution is $11.3M, and the level is $12M. Well, in reality, 15 is more like the maximum bar that can… https://t.co/k52QWvGgLh pic.twitter.com/QESB7AO34a
— Benchrates (@benchrates) August 24, 2025

Could Vegas afford a $15M Jack Eichel deal?

Currently, Leon Draisaitl holds the NHL’s biggest contract at $14 million AAV, and Mitch Marner’s new $12 million cap hit already stretched Vegas’ payroll. An Eichel extension in the $15M range would force the Golden Knights to make difficult decisions on key players like Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Pavel Dorofeyev in the coming years.

Still, with Eichel coming off a 94-point season and setting the franchise scoring record, Vegas may have no choice but to pay up.

Coming off of a career year, Jack Eichel's game just keeps getting better and better!

So, it's only right that he's all the way up to #⃣6⃣ on our Top 20 Centers Right Now list.@JamisonCoyle | @Rupper17 | @BriBrows22 | #NHLTopPlayers https://t.co/e1WLK3X2gA pic.twitter.com/V8RcyR7AAO
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 25, 2025

Market pressure and long-term outlook

Insiders like Elliotte Friedman believe Eichel ultimately stays in Vegas, though the timing of his deal may hinge on how the market develops. Comparisons to Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon suggest Eichel’s price tag will only rise as the salary cap continues to climb.

The Golden Knights currently project to have more than $20 million in cap space for 2026-27, which gives them flexibility. The bigger question: will Eichel’s camp settle closer to $13 million, or will Vegas need to reset the market entirely at $15 million?

Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images