The Chicago Blackhawks face a potentially complex situation with forward Connor Bedard. The 20-year-old rising star ended his entry-level contract (ELC) this season. And with it comes a complex decision.
The two sides will now have to decide on what his next contract will look like. And judging by the numbers, it won’t be easy figuring out the team and figures.
The Blackhawks and Bedard had a chance to lock up an extension last offseason. However, the decision was to hold off until this year. The idea was that a third season in the NHL would help clarify what the next contract should look like.
From the Blackhawks’ perspective, that was a mistake. Connor Bedard had a fantastic, if injury-shortened, season. His 30 goals and 75 points were the next step up from his previous totals.
From Bedard’s point of view, he made the right call. Betting on himself in his third season allowed the former first-overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft to show what he could really do.
That’s why Bedard’s next contract could disrupt the market. While it might not break Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million AAV, it would send shockwaves among younger players coming out of their ELCs.
It would be ludicrous to think that Connor Bedard might sign a deal in the $12 or $13 million AAV range. Considering Bedard is still about six years away from unrestricted free agency (UFA), he could cash in now, while hoping for one last stratospheric payday down the line.
Whatever Bedard ends up signing for, could set the baseline for other RFAs like Leo Carlsson and Jason Robertson. Whatever Chicago pays Bedard could make it prohibitive for other teams like the Ducks and Stars to keep their best, rising stars.
Connor Bedard’s Next Contract Could Ride Him to UFA Status
The plan might very well be for Bedard’s next contract to take him right into UFA status. If that were the case, it means a six-year deal.
How so?
Connor Bedard would be eligible to become a UFA after his age-26 season. As such, that situation makes a six-year deal a reasonable term. On the one hand, it gives the Blackhawks enough time to figure out the rebuild and potentially return to contention.
If Chicago can’t get it together by then, Bedard could reassess his situation once he’s ready to hit the market.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Bedard inks a shorter-term deal. Something like a three or four-year deal wouldn’t be a bad idea either. When the deal expires, however, Bedard would still be a restricted free agent (RFA). That situation doesn’t really do him many favors.
The goal would be to prove he’s a true superstar now, so that when he becomes a UFA, he’s ready to cash in.
Blackhawks Hoping Bedard Will Be Face of Franchise
The bottom line is that the Blackhawks are hoping that Connor Bedard will be the face of the franchise for years to come. He’s earmarked to become the team’s next captain. That’s something that could happen as soon as next season.
And it’s something that will derive from Bedard signing a long-term extension. If he doesn’t, questions may emerge about his long-term commitment to the organization. If the Blackhawks are serious about Bedard becoming their next captain, they’ll have to ink him to a long-term deal.
Otherwise, things could get a bit murky in Chicago moving forward.
Connor Bedard Next Contract Could Disrupt NHL Market