Connor Bedard is not going anywhere. Despite offer sheet buzz around the NHL and it taking longer than either side would have liked to hammer out a new contract, the superstar center has finally signed an extension with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The deal is for five years at $15 million per year, $75 million total, making him the third-highest-paid player in the league in average annual value behind newly signed Leo Carlsson and Kirill Kaprizov.
While some had been concerned about Bedard’s commitment to the Blackhawks and the possibility of signing an offer sheet, especially after the Carlsson situation, his agent, Don Meehan, made it clear that his client never had any intention of doing so and is very happy in Chicago.
“Connor made it clear even after the (Carlsson) offer sheet — and before the offer sheet — that he had no intention of signing an offer sheet, that he was happy in Chicago, believed in the organization, believed in his teammates, and was quite content and happy to stay exactly where he was in Chicago.
Connor’s very happy. He always was committed and has made it clear that he’s very happy in Chicago. He really believes in his teammates, and he doesn’t suffer any constructive criticism of the team or his teammates well. He doesn’t tolerate that. He believes, and he’s totally committed,”
The 20-year-old put up a career-best 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in just 69 games played last season. He will miss the first month or so of the 2026-27 campaign after recently undergoing shoulder surgery.
While Blackhawks fans may have been hoping for Bedard to sign a maximum-term deal, five years is an eternity in professional sports and gives both sides a chance to see how this rebuild and hopeful turnaround plays out moving forward.
The Blackhawks have their young, blue-chip star to build around locked up for the foreseeable future. Now, it’s time to put a better team around him and make playoff hockey the norm once again in the Windy City.
Next: Rory McIlroy Tees Off on Bryson DeChambeau After Penalty Drama
