Las Vegas – With the Vegas Golden Cavaliers being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the NHL playoffs, they don’t have to wait long to plan for their future. Jack Eichel began extending her eight-year contract on July 1 for eight years, costing $80 million.

“He is one of the top guys in the NHL,” said General Manager Kelly McCrimmon. “He has a high character and a great leadership. You see night, night everything he does for our team, so it’s going to be a very important business for us. We certainly want to keep Jack in our organization. Jack loves here, so I hope we find a common stance.”

Eichel, 28, stood out as the best season of his 10-year career, with the Golden Knights for the past four seasons. He set a career high with 66 assists and 94 points, and scored 28 goals as the team's top area. He also skated for the United States in a standoff in four countries, second only to Canada in his club.

“It’s not enough to say to my teammates and the people in this building and the people who make the organization the essence,” Echelle said. “I’m proud to be a part of this organization and the city and represent the Golden Knights in Vegas. Contract, I think things are a little taken care of myself. I’m just worried about getting ready for the offseason for the next season and then starting from there.”

Management, known for sitting in their hands, will make other major decisions under the guidance of the team after being eliminated by the Golden Knights for the second consecutive year.

“I like our team,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. "I have no problem with any player in that room. I think each of them is a great teammate. They care about each other. Is there a better addition to our game? Possibly. We might evaluate that.

"All people, their contracts, they are our good players. All the players have no. No disappointment at all. We may have to look at the field because we are not the last team standing. Usually, you think, 'Where can we upgrade? Where can I upgrade my job?''''

McLinmon provides a similar assessment.

"I think our team is enough to win," McLinmon said.

The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup two years ago and believe they won the championship this season and won the Pacific Division and finished the second best record in the Western Conference. But Las Vegas had to lump from a 2-1 series deficit to beat Minnesota in the first round, winning two wins in overtime. The Golden Knights then lost two OT games in the 4-1 series loss to the Oilers.

"I didn't leave Edmonton and said, 'We didn't have a chance. They were just better.' "I didn't feel that way. I feel like we need to execute better in a few games and we might be the team moving forward. ”

Forward William Karlsson said losing to the Oilers “wasted season.” McCrimmon is not so outspoken, but marks the loss as a “missed opportunity.”

Changes will happen, but at least given the tenor of the comments by Cassidy and McCrimmon, the Golden Knights will keep their roster intact next season.

"I think we have a great organization," goalkeeper Adin Hill said. "The best management I've been doing. I think they're going to do what they think is a fit for the roster, whether it's staying the same or changing a few things. I don't know. I don't know. It's their decision, not my salary, but it's nice to see that we're going to be competitors every year."

Forward Reilly Smith made it clear that he wanted to return. Smith, the original Golden Knight, was traded to Pittsburgh after winning the Cup and sent to the New York Rangers a year later. The Golden Knights regained the 34-year-old on March 6.

Smith made a smooth transition to the lineup with three goals and eight assists in 21 games. He then released his playoff performance for the Golden Knights, beating Edmonton with 0.4 seconds left in Game 3 and earning three goals and assists in 11 playoff games.

"Probably the best hockey of my career to wear this jersey," Smith said. "It's a fun team that can be a fun place to call home. My family loves it here, so it would be great if there's a way to make it work. At the end of the day, it's a business. My contract negotiations, which I probably know with you (the media) now."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.