LAS VEGAS — Jack Eichel’s not going anywhere.

Not that there were ever any doubts that he would leave.

Less than 24 hours after Eichel told reporters there was no deal for him to remain with the Vegas Golden Knights long-term, he agreed to an eight-year extension to stay in Vegas.

The new contract is worth $108 million with an annual average value of $13.5 million which will make Eichel, who turns 29 on Oct. 28, the richest player in franchise history. Eichel will make $10 million this season.

“It gives me some peace of mind to have gotten it done,” Eichel said after the Knights dropped their NHL 2025-26 season opener Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Kings, 6-5 in a shootout. “I’ve said all along I want to be here with the Vegas Golden Knights. I’m so happy to be able to continue my career here in Vegas. It’s been an incredible place for me and my family. I’m so grateful.

“Obviously, it’s nice to get it out of the way. Thanks to the organization, my teammates and everyone who’s been along with me on this journey.”

Eichel’s deal is the latest among NHL superstars to remain with their current clubs. Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov signed an eight-year, $167 million deal to stay with the Wild. Connon McDavid took less term and fewer dollars (two years, $25 million) to remain in Edmonton. And early Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets announced they had signed star forward Kyle Connor to an eight-year, $96 million deal.  

Combined with Mitch Marner’s long-term deal, which is similar to Connor’s in term (eight years) and money ($96 million), Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon has locked up his two best players into the next decade.

“It’s huge,” Eichel said about the roster. “This is an organization which wants to win the Stanley Cup every year. As a player, that’s all you can ask for.”

Eichel is coming off his career-high season in points with 94. He is in the final year of his original contract that goes back to when the Buffalo Sabres drafted him No. 2 overall in 2015 right after Edmonton took McDavid first overall.

When asked Tuesday about getting a deal done before the start of the season Wednesday, Eichel said his agent Pat Brisson was in contact with the Knights and there was an ongoing dialogue and he was prepared to start the season without the extension and just focus on playing hockey.

With his extension done, Eichel can do just that — focus on hockey. He had a big game in Vegas’ opener Wednesday, scoring a third-period goal and adding three assists for a four-point performance in the Knights’ 6-5 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena. When he was introduced in the pregame ceremonies, Eichel received one of the largest ovations from the sellout crowd of 18,393.

In addition to his playing for the Golden Knights, Eichel, a native of North Chelmsford, Mass., will represent the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February.

Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, who’ll coach against Eichel as an assistant for Team Canada at the Olympics, was thrilled to see his star get rewarded.

“Good for Jack,” Cassidy said. “I’m happy for him. He deserves every penny.”