With a new contract in hand, Jack Eichel is playing his best hockey with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 28-year-old centre has five goals and 15 points in just six games to start the season as he chases his first piece of individual hardware in the NHL this season.

Eichel was set to enter this season as a pending unrestricted free agent but inked an eight-year, $108 million contract extension just hours before the team’s first game on Oct. 8.

It’s early, but so far the North Chelmsford, Mass. native is justifying the $13.5 million salary he’ll carry starting next season.

Eichel opened the season on a line with Mitch Marner, but head coach Bruce Cassidy has elected to move Mark Stone alongside Eichel and Ivan Barbashev over the past three games. The change hasn’t impacted the production from Eichel, who has three goals and seven points in those three games.

Stone also sits second in the NHL with 13 points in six games, but his status is in question after exiting Vegas’ 6-1 blowout win over the Calgary Flames Saturday.

“Obviously, he didn’t come back, so we’ll see how he’s doing,” Cassidy said post-game. “I’ll have a better answer for you [Monday].”

Eichel had four assists in the win over the Flames, three of which came on the team’s red-hot power play, which is converting at 37.5 per cent this season.

“It’s pretty fun,” Marner said after the special teams went three-for-three with the man advantage Saturday. “There are so many different threats out there that make plays. … They’ve done a great job down low of really making teams play in different areas there and it’s been a lot of fun to watch.”

Eichel posted a career-best 94 points in 77 games last season. A Stanley Cup champion with the Golden Knights in 2023, he’s still chasing his first individual award. He’s off to a strong start in the Art Ross race, already eight points ahead of draft-year rival and annual trophy favourite Connor McDavid entering play Monday.

Potentially without Stone, Eichel and the Golden Knights (4-0-2) will face a tough test Monday against the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes (5-0-0).