🛑 Golden Knights Star, Jack Eichel, Publicly Shared His Payslip to Show How Much Elite-Level Players Really Earn

In what can only be described as an enlightening public service announcement, NHL star Jack Eichel has graced us mere mortals with a glimpse into the glitzy world of professional hockey salaries. Apparently, Eichel decided it was high time the public understood just how “difficult” it is to scrape by on an elite athlete’s paycheck.

The Vegas Golden Knights forward, who reportedly rakes in $10 million annually, uploaded an image of his payslip, likely expecting gasps of sympathy and pats on the back for his candor. Instead, he got something far more valuable: an internet-wide roast.

“I just wanted to show people the realities of what we deal with,” Eichel said, likely with a straight face. The payslip highlighted deductions like taxes, union fees, and escrow contributions, leaving him with a paltry seven-figure monthly take-home. Yes, you read that right — after taxes, the poor guy is left with only $833,000 a month. Someone start a GoFundMe.

Naturally, the internet had thoughts.

“Wow, Jack, how do you even afford avocado toast with that kind of income?” quipped one Twitter user. “I had to sell a kidney to pay rent last month, but sure, tell me more about your tax deductions,” chimed another.

To Eichel’s credit, his message wasn’t entirely tone-deaf. He also included a reminder of the financial responsibilities elite athletes face, such as paying for trainers, agents, and personal chefs. Because who among us doesn’t blow half our income on someone to prepare kale smoothies?

Critics were quick to point out that sharing a payslip in the middle of an economic downturn isn’t exactly the PR gold medal he might have been aiming for. Millions of everyday workers are struggling to make ends meet, and seeing a millionaire’s breakdown of how much he “loses” to taxes isn’t exactly inspiring.

Still, some fans found Eichel’s post enlightening. “I never realized how much athletes give back to the system,” said one Instagram follower. “This really makes me respect him more.” (That account was later identified as Eichel’s burner.)

In the end, Eichel’s intentions may have been noble, but the execution? A slapshot into the boards. Perhaps next time, he’ll just stick to sharing highlights of goals instead of gross income.