Connor Bedard has set himself up for a possibly gargantuan payday in 2031 after signing a new five-year contract with the Blackhawks.
The Hawks presumably pushed for an eight-year maximum-length contract in negotiations, but they ultimately agreed Saturday to a bridge deal with a $15 million salary-cap hit.
The shorter term helps keep the cap hit semi-reasonable compared to Ducks star Leo Carlsson’s new $18 million cap hit. However, Bedard, who just turned 21 on Friday, is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract.
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and [he] has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement.
“He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat but [also] to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice. Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”
The Hawks will have to figure out a way to re-sign Bedard again down the road — and it might be even more difficult then — but that’s a problem for another day. They’ll also have to build a team around his huge cap hit, but that also isn’t an imminent issue — and might never become a major issue given how quickly the NHL salary cap is rising.
The most important thing was locking up the centerpiece of their new generation without a holdout — or the worst-case scenario of an offer sheet — and that crucial to-do item has now been checked off.
Bedard’s first three Hawks seasons have been remarkably similar to Patrick Kane’s first three seasons. Bedard has 203 points in his first 219 games; Kane also tallied 203 points in his first 219 games.
Now, Bedard has also followed in Kane’s footsteps with the bridge-deal concept coming off his entry-level contract. Kane signed for five years at $6.3 million per year starting in 2010-11, then cashed in with an eight-year deal at $10.5 million per year starting in 2015-16.
Bedard’s big step forward in 2025-26 squashed any concerns about him not reaching his elite ceiling as he reached the 30-goal and 75-point marks in 69 games.
He tied for 20th in the NHL in points per game and likely would’ve ranked higher if not for an injury-hampered January. He also likely would’ve ranked higher if he had any sort of quality linemates, which he theoretically should gain during the course of this new contract.
Bedard won’t be able to start this coming season on time, however, after undergoing left shoulder surgery following an injury in practice earlier this month. He’s slated to return in early to mid-November, missing the first 15-20 games of the season.
Kane, coincidentally, is back on the Hawks’ radar now, with Chris Chelios telling 670 The Score last week that Kane told him he’s currently deciding between contract offers from the Hawks and Sabres. That’s one more notable piece of business for Davidson to figure out, as are contracts for still-restricted free agents Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro.
This story will be updated.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
