Grading Blackhawks’ 5-Year Extension for Connor Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks have finally extended their franchise forward, Connor Bedard, giving him a new five-year deal worth $15 million annually.

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

Bedard, who was a pending restricted free agent (RFA), scored 30 goals and added 45 assists for 75 points through 69 games with the Blackhawks last season. Through 219 career games, he has scored 75 goals and added 128 assists for 203 points, also winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL in the 2023-24 season.

Following the offer sheet drama with Leo Carlsson, where he signed a five-year deal worth $18 million annually with the Philadelphia Flyers, which was matched by the Anaheim Ducks, fans began to wonder if Bedard could ask for the same amount, if not more on his new deal.

Thankfully he took less money, but he didn’t sign for as many years as some fans would’ve liked. However, the main goal was to get him extended, and they did exactly that.

Bedard Extension Not Perfect Situation for Blackhawks

Bedard is someone the Blackhawks needed to keep, and while any price would’ve been a good price, the term is a concern.

Let’s look at the positives first. The Blackhawks now have some breathing room to surround Bedard, and newcomer Bowen Byram, with a competitive team to try and convince them to stay past their current deals. They will struggle next season, especially considering Bedard’s injury will keep him out for the start of the 2026-27 season, but this new extension buys them time.

The first problem with this deal is that Bedard is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the five-year deal, and could walk himself to free agency without giving the Blackhawks a chance to retain him. The fifth year of his deal comes with a full no-movement clause, which could further complicates things depending on where the team stands at that point.

If there is a world where the Blackhawks still aren’t contending in five years, Bedard could end up being a trade candidate. If the Blackhawks know he won’t extend with them past this deal, they could trade him for a massive haul at the trade deadline, rather than lose him for nothing, so long as Bedard is willing to waive his trade protection.

Long story short, this extension gives Bedard all of the leverage at the end of his deal, and puts the pressure on the Blackhawks to start being more aggressive.

Adding Byram was a questionable decision, but it showed Bedard they are willing to spend big to land players and try to improve. As long as that remains a true statement and the Blackhawks remain aggressive, there is no reason Bedard won’t want to remain with them for his entire career.

This deal isn’t bad, but it’s also not an ideal extension for the Blackhawks. The cap hit seems fair for a player of Bedard’s caliber and they bought themselves time to build around him, but the fact he didn’t extend for eight years means there is accelerated pressure on the team to make the playoffs and turn into Stanley Cup contenders.

Extension Grade: B-

Getting Bedard extended is a huge relief for the Blackhawks, for now, and they don’t have to worry about anything else for a little while. The 2026-27 season will probably be another campaign where they struggle to find wins, but in the 2027-28 season, they will likely be looking at making the playoffs, and they need to turn the long rebuilld into true contention, fast.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.