It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re deep in the off-season, but the chatter never stops. The major free agents have signed, but there still might be some contract talks throughout the summer. A number of restricted free agents still have to be signed, but there’s one other group of players that could ink deals this off-season. Players going into the last year of their respective contracts can sign contracts that will take hold on July 1, 2026. They don’t need to be signed, but getting deals done will be huge.
One team that wants to secure one of their stars is the Vegas Golden Knights. This edition of NHL rumours deals with talks for a key player.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Contract Extension Talks Staring for Important Vegas Golden Knights Players
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period offered an update on contract extension talks with the Golden Knights and star forward Jack Eichel.
Pagnotta: Blues, Sharks among teams eyeing Byram https://t.co/PLQ9pwTHp1
— The Fourth Period (@TFP) July 3, 2025
Analysis: Eichel is eligible was eligible to ink an extension on July 1. The former second overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft is entering the last year on an eight-year contract that sees him getting $10 million. The Boston-area native is just one of a number of high-profile players that can sign extensions at any point.
The possibility of Eichel, Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov all hitting the free agent market would cause insider overload. However, at least Eichel and Kaprizov have started extension talks according to Pagnotta. Both the Minnesota Wild and the Golden Knights are being proactive when it comes to locking up their star players.
Vegas already made a big splash in the free agent market by landing Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The duo will hopefully help the Golden Knights hoist their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.
What It Means
After coming over from the Buffalo Sabres, Eichel has flourished in his new home. He set a franchise-record 94 points in 77 games and is hoping to be the first Golden Knights player to eclipse the 100-point mark. Adding Marner to the mix will hopefully accomplish that goal.
There’s always a worry the longer extension talks go on. However, Pagnotta noted that these talks have only just started and odds are good that he wants to stay with Vegas. Eichel can sign a maximum length eight-year extension before the new collective bargaining agreement reduces that time period to seven years tops.
Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon may have to do some things to make the money work. Pagnotta briefly mentioned that the Knights would like to move defenceman Ben Hutton prior to the start of the regular season. His cap hit is less than a million, but every little bit will likely help for the Golden Knights in their quest to get salary cap compliant.
Las Vegas Review Journal beat writer Danny Webster said that both sides are keen to get a deal done. That was 10 days ago, but extensions often happen in the ether of the summer when nothing is going on.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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