The NY Rangers have emerged as potential suitors for the top free agent of the 2026 class: Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel.
In an earlier piece, the Bruins were identified as potential suitors for Eichel. Now, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the NY Rangers could also be in the running for the 28-year-old center.
Kaplan stated per The Hockey News:
“Obviously the Rangers would be very high on the list of teams he’d be interested in along with the Boston Bruins of course.”
Eichel is entering the final year of his current eight-year, $80 million deal. The former second-overall pick from 2015 is believed to be on track to re-sign with the Golden Knights. However, Vegas’ acquisition of Mitch Marner this summer could complicate things.
The Golden Knights signed Marner to an eight-year, $96 million contract. Marner’s $12 million AAV could make it challenging, but not impossible, for the Golden Knights to re-sign Eichel. If they can’t, Kaplan believes, Eichel could go to market.
If he does, the NY Rangers will be waiting there, ready to pounce on Eichel.
It’s an interesting thought, as another one of the biggest free agent fish for 2026 is Artemi Panarin. The NY Rangers superstar is also entering the final year of his current deal and could be looking for one last multi-year deal.
Having both Eichel and Panarin in the lineup could transform the NY Rangers into a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. However, cap space will be an issue for the Blue Shirts. The club will have to clear up room ahead of time to fit Eichel’s AAV under the cap ceiling.
NY Rangers Have a Ballpark for Eichel in Marner
Mitch Marner’s contract this offseason with the Vegas Golden Knights is believed to be the yardstick by which Eichel’s camp will negotiate with the Golden Knights. That situation means that Eichel, who’s already won a Cup in Vegas, will start his asking price at $12 million AAV.
If Vegas, for whatever reason, cannot meet Eichel’s demands, or if Eichel is unwilling to re-sign in Vegas, other teams, like the NY Rangers, will have to start their offers at around $12 million at the very least. However, given the way the cap ceiling will be going up the next two seasons, Eichel could be coming in around $14 million, similarly to what Leon Draisaitl got this past season.
How Eichel Fits into Rangers’ Lineup
Eichel is the top-line center the NY Rangers have lacked over the last couple of seasons. Mika Zibanejad regressed significantly this past season, calling his role into question.
While J.T. Miller could step up and carry the team, the fact is that the NY Rangers could use a high-end center to stabilize the team’s top six. The idea of having a top line with Eichel and Panarin is a tantalizing thought.
Then, a second line with Miller and Zibanejad on the wing could also make for a formidable one-two punch that teams would have a hard time matching.
Overall, adding Jack Eichel to the mix is an opportunity the NY Rangers cannot pass up. While the likelihood of Eichel hitting the market could be slim at this point, fans should keep in mind that Eichel hasn’t signed an extension yet. He was eligible to do so on July 1 and didn’t. So, there’s still reason to believe Eichel might be considering free agency at this point.
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