May 17th, 2025, 4:09pm
Vegas’ Golden Knights don’t have to wait long to plan their future as they absorb a knockout in the second round of the NHL playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Eychel, who left one season on an eight-year, $80 million contract, is eligible for an extension starting July 1st.
“He’s one of the top guys in the NHL,” said general manager Kelly McCrimon. “He has a great character, great leadership. You’re going to be night out what he’s doing for our team, so it’s going to be a really important business for us. We certainly want to keep Jack in our organization.
The 28-year-old Aychel had the best season of his 10-year career, with him earning a career-high with 66 assists, scoring 94 points and 28 goals as the team’s top line center. He also skated towards Team USA in a 4 Nations showdown. His club finished second in Canada.
“I can’t say enough about my teammates and the people in this building, and the people who make this organization what it is,” Eychel said. “I am part of this organization and the city and am extremely proud to represent the Golden Knights in Vegas. I think things will take care of themselves on a contract basis. Be sure to worry about going from there in preparation for this offseason this season.”
Management, unknown to sitting in the hands, will need to make other important decisions in the direction of the team after the Golden Knights are eliminated in the second round for the second year in a row.
“I like the team,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I have no issues with the players in that room. I think they are all great teammates. They care about each other. There’s an area of our game. We’ll probably rate it.
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
“Everyone that was up, their contracts, they were all good players for us. All good players. All good players. We’re not in the position of the last team, so we probably need to look at the area. Usually you’re going to say, “Where can I upgrade?”
McCrimmon provided a similar rating.
“We feel that our team is enough to win,” McCrimon said.
The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup two years ago, winning the Pacific division and securing the second-best Western Conference record, and then thought there would be another candidate this season. However, Vegas had to beat Minnesota in the opening round to rally from a 2-1 series deficit and win twice in overtime. The Golden Knights then lost two overtime games in the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-1 series loss.
“I wasn’t saying from Edmonton, ‘We didn’t have a chance. They were just good,'” Cassidy said. “I didn’t feel that way. I felt that we needed to run better in some games, and we can become a team.”
Forward William Carlson said losing to the Oilers has become a “wasteful season.” McCrimmon wasn’t that dull, instead labeling the loss as “a missed opportunity.”
The change will happen, but at least considering the tenors of comments by Cassidy and McCrimon, the Golden Knights will return the roster for next season as is.
“I think we have a great organization,” goaltender Addin Hill said. “The best management I’ve done. I think they’re going to do what they think is right. [the] The roster, is it kept the same or is it changing a few things? I don’t know. That’s their decision beyond my PayGrade, but it’s exciting to watch. We know that we become candidates every year. ”
Forward Riley Smith revealed he wanted to go back. The original Golden Knight, Smith, traded with the Pittsburgh Penguins after winning the Stanley Cup and was sent to the New York Rangers a year later. The Golden Knights re-earned the 34-year-old on March 6th.
Smith moved smoothly into the lineup with three goals and eight assists in 21 games. He then played the Golden Knights’ postseason play, scoring with 0.4 seconds left to beat the Oilers in Game 3, finishing with three goals and assists in 11 playoff games.
“Perhaps the best hockey I’ve played in my career is wearing this jersey,” Smith said. “It’s a fun group and a fun place to call home. My family loves it here, so if there’s a way to make it work, it’s great. At the end of the day it’s business. [the media does] Right now. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
