The Chicago Blackhawks are taking an interesting approach to Connor Bedard’s contract as the former first overall selection will be eligible for an extension this offseason. Chicago is reportedly kicking the can down the road as Bedard will enter a contract year during the 2025-26 NHL season.
Bedard will play the final season of his three-year entry-level contract during the 2025–26 NHL campaign. Once the season ends, he’ll become a restricted free agent. There’s a better chance of snow in hell than of Bedard walking away from Chicago—yet the Blackhawks have made a surprising decision.
The Blackhawks seemingly don’t want to overwhelm their franchise lynchpin by tossing offers at him ahead of a big offseason. Still, it would’ve been on Chicago’s best interests to sign Bedard sooner rather than later. Not because Bedard might be eyeing an exit door—the 19-year-old made clear his desire to stay—but because the price will only go up.
As the NHL will start its new calendar year on July 1st, players like Bedard will officially be eligible to sign extensions, yet the Blackhawks are reportedly focusing on other topics at the moment.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks warms up prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
“There will be immediate talk about Bedard, who emphasized in April that he’s committed to the Hawks for the long term, but it’s more likely those extensions will come next summer,” Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope stated. Pope added Frank Nazar is in a very similar situation to Bedard, most likely signing an extension in 2026.
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NHL News: Blackhawks reportedly at a crossroads on crucial decision that might impact future with Connor Bedard
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While Bedard and Nazar will reportedly have quiet summers—at least in terms of contract negotiations—another young piece of the roster might be closer to putting pen to paper on a new deal.
In one of the biggest trades of the past NHL season, the Blackhawks sent defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight. The move paid off immediately for the Cats, as the blueliner helped them hoist their second Stanley Cup. Such an early impact can’t reasonably be expected from Knight in the Windy City, yet there have been positive signs. And, therefore, the Blackhawks would like to keep Knight around.
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“Knight, a pending restricted free agent in 2026 after one more year with a $4.6 million cap hit, also will become extension-eligible. That might have higher odds of happening this summer,” Ben Pope hinted.
