The first full week of the NHL regular season opened with a flurry of front-office moves that sent a clear message across the league: teams are locking down their stars early, and the price of elite talent keeps rising with every signature.

In Winnipeg, the long-running narrative that “nobody wants to play there” took a decisive hit. Kyle Connor — the quiet, prolific winger who has defined the Jets’ attack for the better part of a decade — inked an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually. It’s a number that might have seemed outrageous two years ago, but in the context of a rising cap and Connor’s consistent production, it feels almost conservative.

“Maybe they do want to play in Winnipeg,” one team executive quipped after the announcement, referencing the years of chatter that stars were waiting to flee Manitoba the moment they could. The deal follows long-term commitments from Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck — a core that’s not only intact, but apparently doubling down.

The Jets’ offseason was framed by uncertainty. The loss of Nikolaj Ehlers stirred speculation that the team’s best years were behind it. Instead, management’s response has been methodical: secure the foundation, stabilize the locker room, and silence the noise. Connor’s extension does just that.

Now 28, he remains one of the NHL’s purest goal scorers — smooth, effortless, and rarely in the spotlight. His cap hit might not make him the league’s highest-paid player, but it positions him comfortably among its top tier. For Winnipeg, the optics are as valuable as the contract itself. This is a franchise that has often battled reputation as much as opponents, and Connor’s signature is a vote of confidence for the market.

While the Jets celebrated, the Edmonton Oilers made a quieter but equally meaningful move. Veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm signed a three-year extension worth $4 million per season — a stabilizing deal for both player and franchise.

At 34, Ekholm represents the type of player contending teams often lose track of amid cap crunches and flashy upgrades. Since arriving from Nashville, he’s provided Edmonton something it desperately lacked: defensive reliability. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl drive the headlines, it’s players like Ekholm who steady the structure beneath them.

“This might be the last deal of my career,” Ekholm said in a brief statement. “I love this group and believe in what we’re building.”

That “group” continues to expand. Reports suggest defenseman Brett Kulak could be the next to receive an extension, as general manager Stan Bowman leans toward continuity over churn. It’s a strategy that carries risk — Edmonton’s payroll already pushes the limits — but it reflects a team unwilling to break up its chemistry after coming painfully close in recent seasons.

The contrasting philosophies across the Western Conference are striking. While Winnipeg and Edmonton are doubling down on familiar faces, the Vegas Golden Knights — the NHL’s most unpredictable success story — are closing in on another long-term coup.

Multiple league sources confirmed that Vegas is finalizing an eight-year extension with Jack Eichel, a deal expected to exceed $12.5 million per season. If signed, it will remove one of the last marquee names from the 2025 unrestricted free agent class and once again highlight Vegas’s ruthless efficiency when it comes to roster management.

Since acquiring Eichel in a blockbuster trade from Buffalo, the Golden Knights have navigated his health, cap complications, and media scrutiny with the same cold precision that’s defined the franchise since its inception. A Stanley Cup in 2023 validated that approach — “Win now, figure it out later” — and the Eichel extension signals that Vegas isn’t planning to fade quietly into stability.

Eichel has been clear: he’s found his home. The 28-year-old center has thrived under Bruce Cassidy’s system, balancing his offensive instincts with newfound defensive accountability. His postseason performance two years ago — 26 points in 22 games — finally placed him among the league’s elite after years of “potential” talk in Buffalo.

The deal, reportedly nearing completion before the team’s season opener, will likely position Eichel among the league’s highest earners. It’s a staggering leap from his once-controversial Buffalo contract, and a reminder that perception in hockey can change faster than a trade call.

As Eichel prepares to cash in again, another forward is heading the opposite direction.

Kevin Labanc, once one of the San Jose Sharks’ brightest young talents, has signed in the KHL after failing to secure an NHL deal through a professional tryout. His PTO stint did not translate into a contract — a fate shared by many veterans navigating the league’s shrinking middle class.

Labanc’s story underscores a hard truth: for every star commanding $12 million a year, there are dozens of skilled players struggling to find a foothold. The gap between the NHL’s top tier and its middle depth has widened, and players like Labanc — too good for the minors, too expensive for a depth role — often become casualties of that imbalance.

His decision to sign overseas follows a growing trend among fringe NHLers seeking stability and playing time abroad. The KHL, despite its financial unpredictability, remains an attractive destination for players unwilling to spend a season in limbo.

Back in North America, teams continue to shuffle their early-season lineups. In Toronto, Easton Cowan was named a healthy scratch for the Leafs’ opener — a move widely seen as a strategic pause rather than a demotion. Cowan, just 19, impressed through training camp but faces a crowded forward rotation. Head coach Craig Berube indicated that Cowan’s time will come soon, suggesting “there’s no rush — development’s part of the plan.”

Elsewhere, Columbus winger Yegor Chinakhov finds himself in a more precarious position. After a tense summer that included a trade request, Chinakhov will open the year as a healthy scratch under new head coach Dean Evason. The two reportedly cleared the air during the preseason, but the situation remains fragile. If his role doesn’t expand soon, the 23-year-old Russian could renew his push for a change of scenery.

In Edmonton, the Ekholm deal capped a busy week for the Oilers, who also re-signed defenseman Philip Broberg and finalized their roster ahead of Thursday’s opener. The Oilers’ focus remains unchanged: stabilize the blue line, ease the pressure on McDavid and Draisaitl, and find the right mix to finally convert regular-season dominance into a Cup Final appearance.

Meanwhile, the Vegas front office continues to demonstrate the kind of assertive management that’s become its trademark. Sources around the league describe the Eichel negotiations as “smooth” and “nearly done” — a far cry from the contentious talks that defined his Buffalo tenure.

If the deal is completed before puck drop, Eichel will join a growing list of stars — McDavid, Connor, and others — whose long-term commitments have effectively reset the market. The ripple effect will be felt by every pending free agent watching the top end of the salary structure rise into new territory.

The day’s news wasn’t all about contracts. In Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon reached another milestone, passing Joe Sakic for the most points by a player in Avalanche history. While Sakic’s combined total still reigns when including his Quebec Nordiques years, the record cements MacKinnon’s place as the franchise’s modern icon — the face of a new generation that grew up idolizing him.

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Kings unveiled their new third jerseys with little warning — debuting them directly on ice rather than through a staged press event. The sleek black-and-gold design, anchored by a bold crown logo, drew rave reviews from fans and players alike. It’s a return to the franchise’s regal aesthetic, a visual nod to the heritage that once defined the “Gretzky era” Kings.

And in Carolina, good news greeted fans ahead of opening night: defensemen Jaccob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield, and newcomer K’Andre Miller were all cleared to play. The Hurricanes will open the season fully healthy — a rarity in a league where most teams begin the grind already managing injuries.

Finally, the Boston Bruins announced their leadership structure for the new season. With Brad Marchand stepping down from captaincy, the team will rotate three alternate captains — David Pastrňák, Charlie McAvoy, and Elias Lindholm — while they navigate what many expect to be a transitional year. Whether Pastrňák or McAvoy eventually inherits the “C” remains to be seen, but the move reflects Boston’s shift toward a new era after nearly two decades of continuity.

Across the league, the themes are clear: commitment, continuity, and change — all happening at once.

The salary cap is rising, the next wave of superstars is cementing its place, and front offices are moving aggressively to keep pace. For fans, it means more big names staying put — and a growing sense that the NHL’s balance of power, for now, is shifting westward.