Eichel In, Stone Out (LTIR) For Wednesday’s Eichel VGK Debut Against Colorado: ‘It’s A Long Time Coming’
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Ticket prices on the VGK Ticket Exchange website for the Jack Eichel VGK debut game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday start at $35 a seat, plus fees and charges.
Someone with a warped sense of humor at the ticket exchange included $125 million as the most expensive ticket in the price range per ticket.
Only 25 years old, the former captain of the Buffalo Sabres was acquired by the Golden Knights in November before he underwent artificial disc replacement surgery in his neck Nov. 12.
Eichel’s annual $10 million counts against the $81.5 million salary cap, but the Knights will be able to accommodate his salary because VGK captain Mark Stone — and his annual $9.5 million salary — is being moved to long-term injury reserve.
Stone has a back injury, but has had problems figuring out the cause of it.
As VGK General Manager Kelly McCrimmon told the media Monday, “Backs are tricky.”
Eichel last played in March 2021, so it’s been a little more than 11 months since he has played in a NHL game.
Coach Pete DeBoer said he will be looking to see how Eichel handles what he refers to as ” NHL physicality.”
“We’re excited for him,” VGK defenseman Brayden McNabb said after practice Tuesday. “It’s a long time coming.”
DeBoer said he hopes the team’s adrenalin will be running high Wednesday when Colorado comes to T-Mobile Arena for not only Eichel’s debut but also it’s the first game after Calgary routed the VGK, 6-0. last week.
“We got our ass kicked in Calgary, losing 6-0,” DeBoer said.
See you Wednesday for Colorado vs Vegas.
