ESPN hints at major news in forward Connor Bedard's departure from the Chicago Blackhawks
Photo credit: Chicago Sun-Times
ESPN has put their doubts about Connor Bedard sticking in Chicago long-term, as trade rumors pick up.
The Chicago Blackhawks are projected to have $29 million cap space at the end of the season.
The team is set up well for the next NHL Draft with two-first round picks, and a gamut of issues with the current personnel to deal with.
One of those is the former 1st-round pick in 2023, Connor Bedard.
The 19-year old was brought up during a discussion between ESPN's Kristen Shilton and Ryan Clark, when it came to priorities of a rebuilding franchise.
GM Kyle Davidson swung high with the Seth Jones trade and landed future #1 goalie in Spencer Knight.
A major high-point for the season.
Yet, Connor Bedard's name arose during this conversation, and they pondered his future with the team.
Is he going to stick around long-term? What are the plans for the youth movement, which continues to find itself in prominent roles in the lineup?
"So, what does the future look like? Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Knight, who are all central to their future plans, are going to be entering the final years of their respective deals.
ESPN wroteCould Connor Bedard find himself on the outside of the organization? ESPN is questioning his future with the team as the rebuild is just now picking up steam.
"Bedard and Nazar are coming off their entry-level contracts, and Knight would be seeking his third deal-but his first as a No. 1 goalie."
Instead of signing with Chicago, will he force or request a trade out of the Blackhawks organization in favor of greener pastures?
Chicago's outlook has been poor, with only 24 wins this season, and Anders Sorensen's leadership didn't push the team into the territory they needed to be in.
"They had 22 wins through 78 games, and though they trimmed their goal differential from minus-111 in 2023-24 to minus-74, it was still a season of frustration that peaked with the firing of coach Luke Richardson after 26 games, replacing him with interim coach Anders Sorensen."
This warning from ESPN comes after advisories from prominent NHL insiders Craig Button and Elliotte Friedman, adding another layer of mystery in the former first overall picks future in Chicago.
"Bedard needs evidence from the Chicago Blackhawks that a long-term deal is worth it," Button said. "Right now, there is nothing in Chicago that makes you think staying is beneficial."
Why would anyone sign before that? Just to see maybe if anything changes? Now, if you get an idea that the rules aren't going to change, then you don't do it. But I did have someone say to me (that) for a star, for one of the top players-and Bedard is the franchise player in Chicago-you might wait to see if any rules change." Friedman said
It'll be interesting to see where this offseason leads for the Blackhawks and Bedard, as NHL Insiders have advised him to hold off re-signing in Chicago.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 16 | 1683 ANSWERS ESPN hints at major news in forward Connor Bedard's departure from the Chicago Blackhawks Do you think Center Connor Bedard will force a trade out of the Chicago Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 830 | 49.3 % |
| No | 853 | 50.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
