Blackhawks reporter unveils that Connor Bedard could break records with new contract extension
Photo credit: Chicago Sun-Times
Connor Bedard is the franchise centerman for the Chicago Blackhawks, and his next deal with the team could be a nice payday with the latest salary cap projections.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard could be destined to do big things in the NHL.
In two seasons with the Blackhawks, he's already scored 113 points in 134 games.
He's won a Calder Trophy and is producing at a pace that could see him eclipse last season's 61-point total.
With the salary cap of NHL teams expected to rise from $88 million to $95 million at the end of the season, we're pondering the value of Bedard's next deal.
The cap is expected to rise from this season's $88 million to $95.5 million in 2025-26, $104 million in 2026-27, and $113.5 million in 2027-28, quite a sizable and unexpected jump for all franchises across the NHL.
Bedard is currently playing under his entry-level contract that pays him $950K AAV, and it'll expire at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Bedard's record breaking contract
Rather than giving other teams a shot at acquiring the forward through an offer sheet as an RFA, GM Kyle Davidson will want to ensure he is paid commensurate to his value as the team's top center.
The Athletic's Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers believe that the Chicago Blackhawks could roll out a contract with a $17 million AAV for Bedard.
But is this the wrong move?
The duo of writers examined the contracts of eleven NHL players whose contracts took up 13% of their team's cap space.
"Bedard could align himself with those players," The Athletic wrote. "If he was looking for 13 to 15 percent of the cap ceiling for the 2026-27 season, he'd be seeking something in the $13.52 million to $15.6 million range.
They're projecting that is the kind of value Bedard could expect for his next deal, if we look at a broad set of contracts signed by Connor McDavid and other top NHLers.
"Bedard could align himself with those players," The Athletic wrote. "If he was looking for 13 to 15 percent of the cap ceiling for the 2026-27 season, he'd be seeking something in the $13.52 million to $15.6 million range.
Connor Bedard's projection as a generational talent could certainly put him in a class above other NHL players and up into the list with Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and other players who fetch top-dollar deals.
For now, we will wait and see how GM Kyle Davidson handles the situation, as the current NHL season heads into the playoffs soon.
| POLL | ||
MARS 15 | 510 ANSWERS Blackhawks reporter unveils that Connor Bedard could break records with new contract extension Do you think Center Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks' next contract will be upwards of $13 million AAV? | ||
| Yes | 294 | 57.6 % |
| No | 216 | 42.4 % |
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