NHL News: Blackhawks put pressure on key teammates of Connor Bedard after handing out necessary extension

The Chicago Blackhawks got a big order out of the way after re-signing a key teammate of Connor Bedard. However, the job’s far from finished for Kyle Davidson and the front office. Now, the pressure is shifting to other players, who remain restricted free agents (RFA) in the NHL offseason.

The 2025 NHL offseason has been one in which the Blackhawks opted for caution rather than intense activity. After last year’s lesson, Chicago opted to stay put and not rush into any decision, unless an unsurpassable chance presented itself.

Bedard and the rest of the team haven’t welcomed any star talent, but they seem to have accepted this is the organization’s status-quo. Hopefully, not for much longer. Yet that’s not a promise anyone in Chicago would be willing to vouch for.

After extending defenseman Louis Crevier to a two-year, $1.8M deal, the pressure is on to the other RFAs on the roster: Arvid Soderblom and Wyatt Kaiser. Soderblom has filed for salary arbitration, hoping to get leverage amid negotiations with the franchise.

Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during overtime against the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on December 27, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

Bedard’s bodyguard

Crevier’s stats do little to reflect his importance on the Blackhawks’ lineup night in and night out. Standing at 6’8”, the Quebecker blueliner imposes his physical will over forwards throughout the ice. Moreover, he acts as a mobile buffer for Bedard.

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Not many players in the NHL will dare go near Bedard if Crevier is around. Crevier’s work isn’t limited to following Bedard’s every step, however. He patrols the ice for the Hawks’ young talents, like Frank Nazar, Lukas Reichel, and Artyom Levshunov, as well.

Helping their cornerstone

Bedard is well aware that the spotlight is squarely on him heading into the 2025–26 NHL season. After a turbulent sophomore year, the former first-overall pick is determined to flip the script.

To do that, the birthday boy — at the time of this article — will need help from his teammates and coaches. Securing Crevier could be just the first of many steps toward better numbers for the newly minted 20-year-old star.