Give Jack Eichel All The Money

Jack Eichel is good, real good. Like so good I don’t think people realize how good he actually is. Eichel is also up for a contract at the end of this season and is going to get PAID.

Not even able to drink legally, Eichel isn’t just a future superstar, he’s a superstar right now. Basically a point-per-game (0.93) player in 2016-17, playing in 61 games and totaling 57 points, a great season that was overshadowed by a high ankle sprain the held him out of the beginning of the season as well as Connor McDavid, who was drafted the pick in front of him, winning the Hart Trophy and taking Edmonton back to the playoffs.

Now, who’s to say that if Jack Eichel played in all 82 games the Sabers aren’t a playoff team? He certainly believes so. He joined Spittin’ Chiclets in June and mentioned that he believes Buffalo has a bright future and wants to be there long term.

McDavid also just signed an 8-year, $100m contract with an AAV of $12.5m, while his teammate, Leon Draisaitl, just signed a 8-year, $64m contract with an AAV of $8.5m. Predators forward Ryan Johansen also was signed to an 8-year, $64m contract with an AAV of $8.0m, adding on to the summer of big contracts.

So where does that leave Eichel?

A better, younger player than both Draisaitl and Johansen, Eichel should command at least an AAV of $9.5m per season and thats if he is given the key to the city of Buffalo, a suite for Bills games (just so he can see TB12), and maybe something along the lines of a jackie moon contract where he can play and coach.

Don’t be surprised at all if Eichel signs something along the lines of an 8-year, $90m contract with an AAV of 11.25m, which would make him the second highest paid player in the NHL, behind McDavid.

All signs also point to Eichel wearing the ‘C’ next season in Buffalo with Brain Gionta likely not returning. With the bigger leadership role and the budding young talent around him, Eichel is in a position to make Buffalo a contender for a long time.

Does Jack Eichel deserve to be the 2nd highest paid player in the NHL without a Cup or a Hart trophy? Probably not. But if i’m a betting man, i’d probably bet that he will be soon enough. Kids a stud and is going to be for a very, very long time.