<i>Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) is named Third Star of the Game after the Golden Knights defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on Jan. 25, 2025. <b>PHOTO: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</b></i> [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0c6f2b20-3749-40a1-bf08-772cabb2207c.jpeg] <i>Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) is named Third Star of the Game after the Golden Knights defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on Jan. 25, 2025. <b>PHOTO: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</b></i> LAS VEGAS -- Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] star Jack Eichel knows what it means to leave an organization and city that brought you into the NHL, and then having to start over in a brand-new city. Which is why the 2015 second overall pick is more than willing to lend a hand with the newest Golden Knight, Mitch Marner, who arrived last week via a sign-and-trade deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/players/for-newest-golden-knight-mitch-marner-family-is-everything]with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner, an area native of Toronto, was taken by the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] two picks after Eichel in the same draft. "Having went through the situation of leaving an organization in the city and having a fresh start in Vegas, I think I can relate, to a point, to some of the things he's going through," Eichel said. "I think he's obviously had his own situation, and however that ended, I'm sure he's super excited to have a fresh start and be in a place like Vegas, and I know he'll excel. "I'm looking forward to continuing to get to know him and then getting the opportunity to play with him." Eichel spoke to The Hockey News via phone call Tuesday, discussing the Marner acquisition, his summer vacation on the East Coast, preparation for the 2025-26 campaign, and looking forward to returning with a fresh mindset in September. During the "Leaf Morning Take" podcast [https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=873&v=pwNzHDMu8eA&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Ftheleafsnation.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY], Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said it's hard to predict if Eichel and Marner will end up on the same line, but he is looking forward to seeing the two when camp opens in September. "There needs to be chemistry, first of all," Cassidy said. "And there might be some automatically, and there might be none, you never know. They're going to get an opportunity at some point, whether it's early on or later, to play together. Because you want to see what it looks like. "Mark Stone was up there with Jack last year, pretty good hockey player, right? So we have (Tomas) Hertl, we have (William) Karlsson, so (Marner's) going to get a good center, and what's the best fit where he can play his game? I'll say this about Jack and Mitch, they're probably both distributors first, so it'll be interesting to see if they do play together. And I'm sure they will in situations, even if they're not in the same line, and see how that works out if one of them becomes more of a shooter. But those questions will all get answered as we go along." Said Eichel: "Obviously, incredible signing in addition to our team, world-class player and somebody whose game I really admire and respect. Somebody who can create so much and do so much in different areas of the game. Had some brief conversations with Mitch, and everyone that I've spoken to that knows him, that's been around him, has the best of things to say about him. So we're super excited to have him in Vegas." With training camp still a couple of months out, Eichel said his summer vacation at home in Massachusetts has been nothing short of relaxing. "It's been good," he said. "I mean, it's always nice to be able to come home and see some friends and some family and catch up. "Obviously, the season is a whirlwind and you're constantly in the mode of preparing for the next game and trying to put your efforts towards winning hockey. In the offseason, I think it's just a little bit of a mental reset, given the time and demand of the season. Give your body a rest, and then get back to training and figure out what you want to try and do to improve yourself and come back in good shape." Outside of spending time with family and friends, breathing in life off the ice, Eichel said he hasn't done anything special or out of the ordinary in the gym during the offseason, but has stuck to a regimen that will have him ready for the start of camp in September. "I think it's about being consistent and then obviously finding ways or things that you want to try and improve on in your body, and something that will help you respond better on the ice," he said. "So, for me, it's always been the simple things. You want to lift weights, you want to try and get some running in, obviously keep your conditioning and cardio at a good point, and just try and give yourself the opportunity to feel as good as you can on the ice. I don't really think that there's necessarily a special sauce. It's more so, for me, about consistency." Eichel is coming off his best season, which saw him register career-bests in points (94) and assists (66). The 28-year-old earned his fourth All-Star bid, and finished fifth in voting for both the Hart and Selke awards. He also finished third in the voting for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, presented each year to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." His high character has been on display this week, with time dedicated toward community outreach, beginning Monday with Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy's second annual Cassidy Murray Golf Classic. The event benefits the Cassidy Murray Foundation, named in honor of 13-year-old Cassidy Murray, who was killed in a water accident in Aruba in 2022. Cassidy Murray and Bruce Cassidy’s teenage daughter, Shannon, were classmates and best friends. On Tuesday, the star center was in Vermont, making an appearance at a hockey camp. <i>Fan favorite Jack Eichel signs autographs during the 2024 Battle For Vegas charity softball game. Eichel will captain a team of current and former Golden Knights on Saturday, July 12, 2025, as they battle a team representing the Las Vegas Raiders. <b>PHOTO: Battle For Vegas</b></i> [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ce008e41-af87-4109-a13a-ae50463f8cb0.jpeg] <i>Fan favorite Jack Eichel signs autographs during the 2024 Battle For Vegas charity softball game. Eichel will captain a team of current and former Golden Knights on Saturday, July 12, 2025, as they battle a team representing the Las Vegas Raiders. <b>PHOTO: Battle For Vegas</b></i> Saturday, the fan favorite will captain a squad of current and former Golden Knights in the Battle For Vegas charity softball event at Las Vegas Ballpark. Later this month his JE9 Hockey Camp will be held at City National Arena. With most of the components in place and the Knights signing players almost daily, questions continue to revolve around a contract extension that could make Eichel the highest-paid player in franchise history. Eichel, who helped deliver Vegas its first Stanley Cup in 2023, said it's the last thing he's worried about while enjoying his summer vacation. "Obviously, happy in Vegas, the organization has been great to me," Eichel said. "I think that that stuff kind of takes care of itself, and I kind of worry more so about the things I can control and try to prepare for next season."
