The Chicago Blackhawks have locked down 21-year-old phenom Connor Bedard.
Chicago announced Saturday that they have signed Bedard to a five-year contract extension worth $75 million ($15 million AAV).
Bedard will be the third-highest-paid player in the NHL next year, behind just Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson ($18 million) and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million).
Bedard’s new deal runs through the 2030-31 campaign, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent at just 25 years old.
The former first-overall draft pick finished as an above point-per-game player for the first time in his career this past year, recording 75 points (30g, 45a) in 69 games. Despite missing 13 games, he finished 17 points ahead of Tyler Bertuzzi (58) for first on the team in scoring.
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a 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 has 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 missed 12 games during the season with an upper-body injury and will start the 2026-27 campaign on the shelf after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder earlier this month. He sustained a similar injury during offseason training, and his recovery is expected to take four months, putting his return date sometime in November.
