The Chicago Blackhawks weren’t active on the first day of NHL Free Agency on Tuesday. In fact, they made one move for their NHL roster, and it was a trade. General manager Kyle Davidson added Sam Lafferty through trade with the Buffalo Sabres. For now, it seems as if the team is focusing its energy on Connor Bedard.
Chicago’s franchise cornerstone is eligible for a contract extension. Next summer, he is a restricted free agent. The likelihood of an offer sheet is rather low, considering the Blackhawks’ ability to match any offer. However, his restricted free agency means Bedard needs a new contract either way.
An extension did not come down the pike on Tuesday. However, it is something that’s being worked on. Davidson mentioned that his team and Bedard’s camp are in communication on a new contract.
“I probably don’t want to get too far into it, but we are talking,” Davidson said, via NHL.com’s Tracey Myers. “So, I think that’s an indicator of an openness to discuss.
“He made his thoughts very clear at the end of the season and subsequently in other interviews, that he’s committed to Chicago and wants to be here long-term and we obviously want him here long-term, so there’s mutual agreement there.”
Blackhawks Not Worried About Connor Bedard Contract
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesThe Chicago Blackhawks hope to sign franchise cornerstone Connor Bedard long term.
The Blackhawks made it clear that they hope to get something done soon. This makes a ton of sense, as it allows them to further plan their roster building with this important piece of business out of the way. However, if it takes a while, they aren’t too concerned.
“We’ll see, but if we’re able to get something done (soon), that would be fantastic,” Davidson said, via Myers. “But if we don’t, I think it’s probably more so out of the uncertainty around how the League and the system is going to be growing or impacted moving forward than anything player/team related.”
The outside factors could have a major impact on how this discussion unfolds, as well. The NHL is entering an unprecedented era of salary cap growth. And this has already had a seismic impact on how the offseason plays out.
Salary Cap Impacts on Bedard Contract Talks
Davidson addressed the new salary cap world of the NHL on Tuesday. The salary cap rose to $95.5 million for the 2025-26 season. By 2028, it will be $113.5 million, and it could reach $125M or even $130M by the end of the decade.
The Blackhawks general manager knows there will be changes to how contracts work around the league. In his view, it’s going to cause talks such as the Bedard extension to take longer than they would have in a flat-cap era.
“I think the new salary cap marketplace, it’s going to stall some (contract talks),” Davidson said, via Myers. “It’s going to make some of these a little more drawn out that maybe they would have been in the past on a more flat cap. But yeah, we’ve started (talking) and we’ll see if something gets done.”
Teams across the NHL saw a major change to NHL Free Agency on Tuesday. They spent less than average on Tuesday as the free agency market quickly thinned out. As a result, they may put more effort in keeping the talent they have, and this certainly could influence how Chicago approaches an extension with its franchise cornerstone in the coming months.
Blackhawks GM Issues Update on Connor Bedard Contract Talks