Golden Knights may cut ties with Jack Eichel to take Connor McDavid from Oilers.

BREAKING NEWS: Golden Knights Eye Blockbuster Move — Could Jack Eichel Be Out as Vegas Targets Connor McDavid?

In a bold and potentially seismic shift within the NHL landscape, multiple league insiders are reporting that the Vegas Golden Knights are exploring options to move on from star center Jack Eichel—a move that would clear the way for what would be the most ambitious trade pursuit in franchise history: acquiring Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers.

If successful, the deal could rewrite the balance of power in the Western Conference and shake the very foundations of two of the league’s most prominent franchises.

According to sources close to the Golden Knights’ front office, there is growing belief that Jack Eichel’s future in Vegas is no longer guaranteed. While Eichel was instrumental in the team’s 2023 Stanley Cup championship run and has posted solid numbers, the organization reportedly views McDavid as a transformative upgrade—a once-in-a-generation player who could dominate the league for the next decade.

“This isn’t about Eichel underperforming,” said one NHL executive who requested anonymity. “This is about a team that thinks it can land the guy. And that guy is Connor McDavid.”

The Golden Knights have built their identity on bold moves, from acquiring Mark Stone to trading for Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo. Now, they appear ready to go even bigger.

Team owner Bill Foley has long stated that he wants to build a dynasty, not just a one-time championship contender. Bringing in McDavid would do just that—while possibly expanding the franchise’s commercial appeal on a global scale.

Insiders suggest that Eichel could be used as part of a multi-asset package that would include high draft picks, top-tier prospects, and possibly a combination of established veterans.

Though it seems unfathomable to most fans, some signs point to the Oilers being open to at least listening.

With McDavid’s contract entering its final two seasons and no guarantee he’ll re-sign, Edmonton is facing pressure to either win now or consider reshaping their roster. Losing McDavid for nothing in free agency would be a disaster—financially and competitively.

While the Oilers recently made headlines with a $49 million donation for Texas flood victims and appear united publicly, internally, sources say there is frustration over repeated playoff failures, including the recent collapse in the Western Conference Finals.

“The Oilers don’t want to trade McDavid,” said a Western Conference scout. “But if they feel he’s leaning toward leaving in free agency, they may prefer to control the narrative—and get a king’s ransom in return.”

While speculative at this stage, a potential deal might include:

• Jack Eichel
• A 2026 or 2027 first-round pick
• Top prospect Brendan Brisson
• A roster player like Shea Theodore or Nicolas Roy

In return, Vegas would get Connor McDavid—a player with more Art Ross trophies than any other active NHLer and someone who could instantly elevate the Golden Knights into perennial Cup favorites.

McDavid carries a cap hit of $12.5 million, while Eichel’s is $10 million. The difference could be bridged by including other contracts in the trade or restructuring deals on Vegas’s end. The Golden Knights have proven adept at managing the cap, often leveraging long-term injured reserve (LTIR) space and creative accounting.

If this deal happens, it could:

• Shift the power dynamic in the Western Conference, making Vegas the new dominant force.
• Force Edmonton into a rebuild or retool, though with Eichel, they’d still be competitive.
• Raise the pressure on other contenders, including Colorado, Dallas, and Toronto, to respond with major moves of their own.
• Shake up the NHL’s marketing structure, as McDavid in Las Vegas would draw massive commercial attention and potentially grow the game in new demographics.

Golden Knights fans are torn—many revere Eichel for delivering the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, while others are salivating at the idea of McDavid in gold and steel gray.

Oilers fans, meanwhile, are in disbelief that their generational talent might be on the move—but also pragmatic, with a growing number acknowledging that if McDavid won’t commit long-term, the return haul must be historic.

Social media is already ablaze with hashtags like #McDavidToVegas and #EichelEraEnding, and talk shows across Canada and the U.S. are devoting entire segments to the hypothetical deal.

Both players have remained publicly silent amid the buzz. McDavid has always deflected questions about long-term plans in Edmonton, saying only that he’s focused on winning.

Eichel, meanwhile, has not given any indication he’s unhappy in Vegas—but insiders say his relationship with head coach Bruce Cassidy has been “professional, not personal,” and that he was surprised by the team’s attempts to move him quietly this summer.

The next 72 hours will be crucial. Free agency is winding down, but trade activity could spike dramatically if talks accelerate. The Oilers have reportedly fielded preliminary calls—not just from Vegas, but also from the Kings, Rangers, and Hurricanes.

If Vegas offers a deal sweet enough, we could be looking at the biggest NHL trade since Wayne Gretzky was shipped to Los Angeles in 1988—a fitting parallel for a franchise that dares to dream as big as the city it calls home.