The Vegas Golden Knights have accomplished almost everything they set out to do this offseason. They kept Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad, and gave Kaedan Korczak a new three-year contract. They even went out and got Mitch Marner, a top-five winger in the league. However, there’s one matter that still needs to be addressed: Jack Eichel needs a new deal.

Eichel, along with Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov, became eligible to sign a new contract on July 1st. Generally, everyone believed Eichel would have a new deal before the day’s end. But now, it’s the beginning of October, and the regular season begins in five days.

On Thursday, David Pagnotta and Greg Wyshynski joined Daily Faceoff’s The Sheet with Jeff Marek and discussed the latest on Eichel’s contract talks.

“I’ve heard 8 years, $14 million– something in that neighborhood,” said Wyshynski. 

“I think the hang-up’s been term,” Pagnotta responded. “I think the number is going to be in and around that $14 million mark if they go full term. But what I was told earlier this week is that those conversations have been relatively slow. Unless they’ve had a tremendous conversation in the last 24 hours, I anticipate that still being the case. He’s going to be the highest paid Knight once all is said and done, to what extent is what everybody’s waiting for.”

On Tuesday, Kirill Kaprizov signed a record-breaking contract with the Minnesota Wild with a $17 million AAV. Pagnotta doesn’t believe that’ll raise Eichel’s asking price.

Read More: What Does Kaprizov Extension Mean for Golden Knights, Eichel?

“This is a different scenario,” Pagnotta began. “Kaprizov is a winger; he’s going to affect the winger market a lot more than just forwards in general. With Jack Eichel being a center, and what he can do with both ends of the ice, the arguments there are a little bit different.

“I’m not suggesting he’s asking for anything in that world,” Pagnotta continued. “But, you know, $14 million in Vegas, in Dallas, in Florida, is not the same in Minnesota. It’s not the same in New York or in Toronto. You know, $14 million there is $15 and a quarter to $16 million, depending on where you’re playing… I fully expected to be in that range. I think it’ll probably start with a 14.”

Even with the complications of the rising salary cap, there’s no reason to believe a deal won’t get done. Jack Eichel has been outspoken about wanting to stay in Vegas. And why wouldn’t the Golden Knights want to re-sign their superstar center?

“I think both sides are comfortable with the relationship,” Pagnotta said. “I think both sides would like to extend it; it’s just a matter of to what extent. The market is shifting significantly… The projection is $104 million, but there’s $107 million, $108 million being discussed as a possibility. And then $113 million the year after, could be $118 million— arewe going to $120 million that quickly?

“So all of that is certainly being factored in, to a certain extent. I think a percentage of the cap applies to a certain extent with respect to Vegas and Eichel. But remember, the percentage of the cap is based on the number of this current season. So, they’re basing that on $95.5 million and how that’s going to accrue moving forward.