Latest on Connor Bedard's Future with Chicago Blackhawks
It sounds like Connor Bedard doesn't want to commit to anything too fast, as his future as a Chicago Blackhawks is not a slam dunk like many thought.
Bedard was eligible to sign a contract with the Blackhawks on July 1st, and Frank Seravalli is reporting that both the player and the franchise are willing to be patient here, and see where year three goes:
Connor Bedard was eligible to sign an extension on July 1, but both player and team are comfortable seeing how his 3rd season plays out first, according to @frank_seravalli pic.twitter.com/BESU5cNhzx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 22, 2025
Bedard scored 22 goals in 68 games as a rookie, and while he played in 14 more games in his second year, he only scored one more goal, finishing his sophomore season with 23. The Blackhawks continue to be one of the worst teams in the NHL, so perhaps Bedard doesn't want to commit to an eight-year contract extension without having some confidence that GM Kyle Davidson is going to deliver on his promise to build around Bedard with fellow star players and high-end prospects.
Keep an eye on Chicago this season, if they struggle once again in 2025-26, the noise will be picking up in a major way, and Bedard's extension may not be as lucrative as many felt it would originally be.
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images