A major statement has been made involving Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks

The future of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise is dependent on Connor Bedard's success and dedication to the team. In two season's he's already attained a Calder Trophy, and tallied 60+ points twice.

As a generational talent, we should expect that the Blackhawks will do nothing less than work their tails off to make sure Bedard stays in a Blackhawks uniform.

Auston Matthews' second contract with the Maple Leafs was quite rich, paying him $11.6 million AAV over five years. The Leafs have been in thrall to the "core four," which is now dissolving in front of our eyes due to Mitch Marner's eventual exit.

The Blackhawk and Kyle Davidson must be able to extend ConnorBedard, so they don't lose him to an offer sheet, or worse, he walks into free agency without a qualifying deal. Bedard will set the standard for contracts in this newly minted roster of Blackhawks.

If we go by comparables, Nathan MacKinnon's contract with the Avalanche was approximately 8.3% of the salary cap, equating to $6.3 million. While Bedard, if allocated that much, could stand to receive $8.8 million AAV over seven years.

If Bedard's next contract were as generous as Tim Stutzle's deal with the Ottawa Senators (10% of the cap), we could see him end up with an AAV of $10.4 million over eight years.

And lastly, if we go by what Matthews is being paid, which is a whopping (14.2% of the cap) at $14.77 million AAV.

While it's doubtful we'll ever see him paid Auston Matthews' money yet, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to expect $8 million AAV and above for his production and his two stellar seasons of play on a terrible team.

If Kyle Davidson and Bedard could agree on a deal of 8X$10.5 million AAV, the Blackhawks could be certain their future is secure and happy.