Jack Eichel's Future in Vegas in Jeopardy - Penguins Poised to Make Bold Move

One of the biggest names that can hit the open market next summer is Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel, who was taken 2nd overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

The Golden Knights have had great success with Eichel, winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 and routinely finishing at the top of their division.

Per analyst Pierre LeBrun, contract talks between Eichel and the Golden Knights remain in the "early" stages.

But they've also committed a major amount of money to Mitch Marner, who was acquired in a major sign and trade deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer. Marner will now be paid an AAV (average annual value) of $12 million, a number that Eichel could also try and command in his next deal.

The Penguins would present an interesting opportunity for Eichel to take on some of the load carried by future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby and to fill the void that will be left behind by Evgeni Malkin, who is expected to be entering his last year in the NHL.

Eichel could easily become one of the faces of the Penguins with Malkin's impending departure and with Crosby's career winding down, and it would also be a personal challenge for him to try and take a team in the midst of a rebuild back into contention.