Connor Bedard Signs 5-Year, $75 Million Blackhawks Extension as Chicago Bets on Rebuild
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 19
Connor Bedard Signs 5-Year, $75 Million Blackhawks Extension as Chicago Bets on Rebuild
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 19
Summary
$75 million over five years will keep Connor Bedard in Chicago through 2030-31, with the Blackhawks announcing a $15 million AAV extension a day after his 21st birthday.
The deal ranks third in the NHL by average annual value, behind only Leo Carlsson at $18 million and Kirill Kaprizov at $17 million, while buying out just one year of Bedard's unrestricted free agency.
Chicago moved to lock up its franchise centerpiece after Bedard's second contract became central to the rebuild and after recent offer-sheet concerns grew when Carlsson signed one that Anaheim later matched.
Bedard is expected back in early November from shoulder surgery after posting 30 goals and 45 assists last season, and he has already said he wants the Blackhawks to become a playoff team next year.