One top name on the list of unrestricted free agents in 2026 is Vegas Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Eichel is a three-time National Hockey League All-Star and has emerged as an elite two-way centre in the NHL today.
Making defensive strides
Eichel has not always been great defensively. In his six seasons in Buffalo to begin in his NHL career, he was a -69. However, over the last four seasons in Vegas, where Eichel is part of a winning culture, he has been a very impressive +65, and was fifth in Selke Trophy voting in 2024-25. Eichel was only behind Stanley Cup champions Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers, Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils.
Very disciplined
Eichel only had eight penalty minutes this past season and was third in Lady Byng Memorial Trophy voting. He was only behind Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Extremely valuable to the Golden Knights
In terms of individual value to his team, Eichel is extremely important to Vegas. This past season, he was fifth in Hart Trophy voting, only behind Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon.
Eichel’s 2024-25 NHL statistics
Eichel had 28 goals and 66 assists for 94 points in 77 games. He had 34 power-play points, two shorthanded points, three game-winning goals, 233 shots on goal, one hat trick, 572 faceoff wins, 55 blocked shots, 22 hits, 28 takeaways, and 90 giveaways.
Eichel’s two shorthanded points were in the same game. They were in a 6-3 Golden Knights win over the San Jose Sharks on December 27. He first set up defenseman Brayden McNabb of Davidson, Saskatchewan, to tie the game at three at 1:03 of the third period, and then scored the game-winning goal 23 seconds later shorthanded from Mark Stone of Winnipeg, Manitoba and McNabb. Eichel’s hat trick came in a 5-1 Golden Knights win over the Minnesota Wild on March 25.
Don’t expect history to repeat itself
Eichel was in a dispute with the Buffalo Sabres four years ago on whether or not he should have back surgery. The dispute weakened the relationship between Eichel and the Sabres. As a result, Eichel was stripped of his captaincy and later traded to Vegas.
The relationship between Eichel and Vegas has always been positive. Vegas allowed Eichel to have the surgery when he was traded in 2021, and Eichel was instrumental to leading Vegas to the 2023 Stanley Cup title. There is an expectation that Eichel will get a deal done with Vegas sometime this month according to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. The estimated contract is eight years and $108 million.
Update: Eichel did indeed sign an eight year contract extension with the Golden Knights worth $108 million on October 8.
