Wyatt Kaiser, the rising star defenseman for the Blackhawks, faces a critical moment as contract talks continue this summer.
Apr 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (44) talks to a teammate during a break in the action against the Dallas Stars during the first period at United Center.
Photo Credit: Seeger Gray-USA TODAY Sports
As the Chicago Blackhawks’ whelming offseason draws toward its conclusion, one glaring piece of business remains unfinished for Kyle Davidson: the re-signing of defenseman Wyatt Kaiser. With training camp on the horizon, Kaiser still remains a restricted free agent (RFA), making his contract situation arguably the most important unresolved issue for the Hawks this summer. (Some players are currently eligible for extensions that could also get done this summer…)
Why Wyatt Kaiser’s Deal is the Hawks’ Priority
Kaiser, 23, took significant strides in the 2024-25 campaign, his first full NHL season. He played a career-high 57 games, netting four goals and eight points, and led the team’s blue line with 93 blocked shots, finishing with a respectable plus/minus and logging over 18 minutes per night down the stretch. According to some evaluations, Kaiser “perhaps had the best developmental season of any player in the organization.”
Despite a roster in flux and a growing core led by Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks see Kaiser as a possible top-four mainstay on defense. That projection, paired with his growth, makes his contract the most consequential among Chicago’s RFAs, ranking ahead of even goaltender Arvid Soderblom and Louis Crevier.
The Stakes and Contract Negotiation Status
With nearly $30 million in cap space, the Blackhawks aren’t constrained by finances. Kaiser’s qualifying offer is set at $874,125, but negotiations are more complex than simple dollars. Kaiser has no arbitration rights, giving the Hawks ample leverage, but an offer sheet from another franchise, however relatively unlikely at this juncture, remains somewhat of a theoretical risk.
The Blackhawks could choose to pursue a short-term “prove-it” contract, likely mirroring the two-year bridge deals seen for players like Lukas Reichel. This approach rewards Kaiser’s progress while preserving flexibility. As Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation has emphasized, what is preventing them from getting a deal done?
Since I brought him up, what’s keeping the Blackhawks from getting a deal done with Kaiser? If they’ve identified him as a potential top-four guy, he should have been the priority RFA this summer. And the Blackhawks aren’t trying to find/create cap space to make it fit.
Davidson could want to avoid a premature long-term commitment based on a single year of growth; however, it just seems a little odd that the two camps have yet to come to an agreement at this point.
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Why the Delay?
So far, the stand-off is not reported to be contentious by any means. Standard NHL protocol for young RFAs often involves summer negotiations stretching deep into August, especially for players who, like Kaiser, have flashed significant potential but remain works in progress. For the Blackhawks, this window allows for further roster evaluation and ensures that any multi-year deal strikes the right balance between reward and risk.
What Does the Future Hold for Kaiser?
Drafted in the third round (81st overall) in 2020 and signed out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Kaiser has now logged 98 career NHL games with 18 career points. His steady two-way play and defensive IQ have positioned him as a reliable option who could become a foundational piece as the Bedard era truly begins.
If Kaiser takes another step forward in 2025-26, the Hawks’ patience could be rewarded with a young, affordable blue-liner capable of anchoring tougher assignments. If not, the short-term deal provides organizational flexibility, either for potential trade purposes or further evaluation to see if he could remain on a competitive Blackhawks blue line.
The Bottom Line
The Hawks’ summer is nearly wrapped, but their biggest “predictable” internal move is still on the table: signing Wyatt Kaiser. As the only major RFA yet to sign and a key development piece for a rebuilding team, his contract will help define the franchise’s near-term blue line and cap strategy. All signs suggest a two-year bridge is the likeliest outcome, but until pen meets paper, Blackhawks fans will be watching closely.
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