The Connor Bedard contract saga officially came to a close on Saturday afternoon, as the Chicago Blackhawks announced the restricted free-agent forward signed a new five-year extension with a $15 million AAV. The deal comes only one day after Bedard celebrated his 21st Birthday.
𝐄 𝐗 𝐓 𝐄 𝐍 𝐃 𝐄 𝐃 🏠
from draft night to his first goal on UC ice and every moment in between, here’s to 𝟓 more years of 𝟗𝟖 in Chicago ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cvad2ECxbC
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 18, 2026
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” said General Manager Kyle Davidson in the team’s press release. “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but 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 have 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.”
Bedard’s new contract runs through the 2030-31 season and effectively carries the third-largest cap hit among all NHL players in 2026-27, behind only Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson ($18 million per year) and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprisov ($17 million per year). Some will view this as an overpay, but it’s more a reflection on the fast-rising salary cap landscape that’s now engulfed the league. In actuality, Bedard’s contract will likely look like a bargain in a few years down the road.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick is coming off a stellar 2025-26 campaign in which he set new career bests in goals (30), assists (45), and points (75) in 69 games, averaging over a point per game for a full season for the first time in the NHL. After a middling first two years, Bedard cemented himself among the NHL’s elite up-and-coming talents, taking his game to new heights in all aspects.
Additionally, Bedard became the third player in the Blackhawks franchise history to record 30 goals in a season before turning 21 and the 13th player in league history to reach 200 career points at 20 years old or younger. He also set Chicago’s franchise record for most points by a player before turning 21.
Had he not suffered a fluke right shoulder injury against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 12, Bedard likely would have set even more franchise records. At the time of the injury, Bedard ranked in the top 10 in the NHL in both goals and points and was on a similar scoring pace to San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. But once he returned one month later, he struggled to produce at the same rate and ultimately finished 20th in the league in points per game.
Connor Bedard, signed 5x$15M by CHI, is an extremely skilled young forward. In addition to his ability as a passer, shooter, and handler, he added footspeed and motor this season and was on track for a monster season until an injury derailed it and he wasn’t the same after. pic.twitter.com/S0VIhq7hNo
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 18, 2026
Considering the way restricted free agents have gotten paid this summer, with the Ducks matching a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers to retain Carlsson, the second pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, it was obvious that Bedard was about to receive a major pay raise on his second contract. After all, he’s been the more productive player between the two through three seasons, with Bedard having 203 points (75G, 128A) in 219 career games, while Carlsson has 141 points (61G, 80A) in 201 career appearances.
Carlsson’s offer sheet perhaps gave Bedard and his camp a new data point to use in negotiations with the Blackhawks, as there was a fair argument to obtain a similar cap hit. However, for Davidson to be willing to shell out $18 million per year (or more), Bedard presumably would have needed to sign an eight-year extension, the maximum term for a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks were surely pushing for that, but Bedard elected for a bridge contract instead, similar to the one Patrick Kane signed on his second contract. Kane inked a five-year deal that kicked in during the 2010-11 campaign before agreeing to an eight-year extension on his third contract.
With the NHL salary cap only going to continue to rise, choosing to sign for a shorter term makes the most sense for Bedard at this stage of his career. With his unique abilities and game-breaking upside, being tied down to a set price point for the next eight years wouldn’t have been in his best financial interest. By going this route, Bedard now has the chance to receive another massive raise five years down the road, when he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent.
For the Blackhawks, that’s a problem they’ll deal with when the time comes, but it was essential to secure Bedard’s immediate future this summer, which has now been accomplished.
Only two of Chicago’s four restricted free agents who received qualifying offers from the team remain without a new contract — defensemen Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski.
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