Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, Connor Bedard will lead the Chicago Blackhawks into a crucial campaign. The 20-year-old is entering a contract year, which teams are usually not ecstatic about. Yet, it might not be the end of the world for the Hawks.
Bedard is focused solely on righting the ship after a deflating 2024-25 campaign. Following Jeff Blashill’s arrival behind the bench, the Blackhawks know they have their work cut out. The spotlight will be on Bedard all year long, as he is expected to have a better production than last season.
That’s all Bedard seems willing to focus on for now. While the young star has made it clear he wants to stay in the Windy City for the long haul, diving headfirst into contract talks likely isn’t what he wants weighing on his mind at the moment.
As for Chicago, waiting to see what Bedard can truly do in the NHL doesn’t sound too bad, either. The Blackhawks need the former first overall pick to showcase his true potential before investing on his long-term extension. Insider Frank Seravalli believes waiting is in Chicago and Bedard’s best interests.
Connor Bedard speaks to the media after being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the first overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Patiently waiting
“I doubt [the Blackhawks lock Bedard’s extension before the season starts]. I think from both ends. From Bedard’s end, I don’t know that he’d want to jump right now,” Seravalli said on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook. “From the Blackhawks end, I don’t know that they’d be rushing unless they see a true value play and opportunity.
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“But then, if they see that, they’re going to have to convince the Bedard camp that this is the right time to go and sign for security as opposed to waiting and potentially getting a bigger payday.”
Something left to prove
While Bedard has fans and the organization excited about the future, the young centerman still has a lot of room for improvement. Moreover, he must display his abilities consistently, as to prove he belongs with the elite tier of NHL skaters. He’s shown flashes of his greatness, but hasn’t been able to establish it night in and night out.
“I’d want to see more of what Bedard is ready to do at the NHL level,” Seravalli added. “Cap space is no issue, but [Chicago’d] want to get that deal right. Are you paying him as one of these up-and-coming upper echelon superstars? Or are you paying him a sort of closer to the mid-range deal, as he puts all the pieces together in his game?“
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Obviously, the supporting cast around Bedard and the overall state of the organization in Chi-town has done the Canadian gem no favors. Regardless, if the Blackhawks will hand him a massive extension, he must show it’ll be a profitable investment.
