3 Blackhawks Questions for the Month of June

It’s June 1, and it’s a big month for the NHL. The Stanley Cup will be lifted, all the while another big date looms- the NHL Draft on June 26.

This month feels monumental for seeing where the Chicago Blackhawks are headed into next season. A lot has to do with the draft, since so much uncertainty lies there. But other questions about their (star) players could be answered this month.

Overall, three big questions await this June.

1. Will Bedard’s Contract Get Done?

It seems everyone is waiting to see what Connor Bedard‘s contract will look like. He is a restricted free agent, and the Blackhawks will pay him. How much and for how long is the question.

There isn’t much known at the moment about specific numbers for a potential contract. All that’s expected is that the number will be big and reflective of a franchise player, because Bedard is one for the Blackhawks.

But here is where June comes into play.

Scott Powers of The Athletic reported, “Everyone involved in the Connor Bedard contract negotiations has been very tight-lipped. Don’t expect a ton of information coming out before the deal is announced. The new contract could be finished in June, but no one seems to be in a rush.” (‘What I’m hearing about the Blackhawks: Trading draft picks and expiring contract rights’ -The Athletic- 05/28/2026)

It will be interesting to see how fast this contract gets done. Will it be done this month? Or will it go further into the summer?

Either way, June seems significant here. This isn’t just huge for the Blackhawks, but also for the league.

As Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported, “Then there are Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson. Both players effectively bet on themselves, putting long-term contract talks on the back burner this season — and both followed it up with massive production efforts that only strengthened their leverage. Now it becomes a bit of a game of chicken. Whichever side moves first could help define the next tier of superstar contracts. If one signs first, that deal immediately becomes a benchmark — not only on AAV, but structure, term, bonuses, and how aggressively teams are willing to pay elite young centers entering their prime. Many around the league are expecting Bedard to go first; there seems to be no rush on Carlsson and the Ducks’ side when I checked in this week.”

2. What Will Happen With The Blackhawks Draft Picks?

The NHL Draft Combine is currently taking place in Buffalo, New York. The combine gives teams a chance to speak with prospects while also getting more physical information about them as they go through fitness testing.

If you recall, last year at the Draft Combine, the Blackhawks opted not to take any prospect out to dinner. They ended up drafting Anton Frondell third overall. Looking back, I think they probably had an idea of who they would draft third overall.

With the Blackhawks selecting fourth overall, nothing is certain in that spot.

If either Caleb Malhotra or Ivar Stenberg is off the board, how will they pivot? (We’ll have more in-depth draft pieces this month on the fourth overall pick, so stay tuned!)

The draft combine will give the Blackhawks a good opportunity to get to know the players who could be available to them, should they choose to keep their eight draft picks.

Unless they choose differently…

3. What Else Could The Blackhawks Have Up Their Sleeves?

There has been a ton of smoke around the Blackhawks fourth overall pick. General manager Kyle Davidson said at the draft lottery that he was open to trading the pick, and the smoke continues to linger.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported, “Same goes with Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson and the No. 4 pick. Chicago views the pick as a heck of an asset, given the talent available in the top five, so it would be need to be a darn good NHL player to move it, but the Blackhawks are open to it, per league sources.” (from ‘NHL rumblings: Massive trade attempts coming, top picks available, latest on Matthews, McDavid, more’ – The Athletic – 05/27/2026).

Ultimately, there is a difference between being open to something and something actually coming to fruition. Who would the Blackhawks consider to be the “darn good NHL player” that is worthy of moving the fourth overall pick for?

The Blackhawks need to get out of the NHL basement next season. That is a given. They could use the help.

It seems the last time the fourth overall pick was traded was in 2004, when the Columbus Blue Jackets traded it to the Carolina Hurricanes. Therefore, Davidson moving that pick would certainly be defining. But it also wouldn’t be surprising to see them stand pat.

Beyond their prospect pool, I’m also intrigued by the three second-round picks they have. Could that be a focal point to potentially acquire someone?

Powers noted about the Blackhawks, “They’d love to bring in a top-six forward, a top-four defenseman and someone with some physicality who can help take this group to another level. To be fair, that is also what most teams are looking for.

“As I mentioned before, I do believe they’ll add a defenseman to the group. We’ll see on the forward. I just don’t see them targeting someone simply because of what they could bring to the room.” (from ‘Will Roman Kantserov be the Blackhawks’ biggest offseason move?: Mailbag, Part 2- The Athletic – 05/27/2026)

Could the Blackhawks have a significant trade in them?

June should set the tone. The trade deadline was described as a “buyer’s market.” We’ll see if that carries into the summer.

Business really starts now for the Blackhawks. Free agency on July 1 is one ponder, too. But for now, all eyes are on June.