Heading into the 2026-27 NHL campaign, Bedard finally moved off his RFA status and signed a long extension with the Blackhawks. Under his current deal, Bedard will make an average salary of $15 million over the next five years. Bedard’s extension runs through 2031, when he will become an UFA at the age of 25.

During the 2026-27 NHL season, however, Bedard will earn a total salary of $17 million, according to PuckPedia. Celebrini, on the other hand, won’t come close to that figure. The Sharks will pay Celebrini a salary of $975,000 next season because he is still under his entry-level contract.

Celebrini is still on rookie contract

The record-breaking deal Celebrini signed—setting the highest average annual value (AAV) in NHL history—won’t kick in until the 2027-28 season. The wait will be well worth it, though.

In 2027-28, Celebrini is set to earn a $20.8 million salary from the Sharks. As things stand, that would be the highest annual salary in the NHL two seasons from now. During the 2027-28 campaign, the North Vancouver duo’s salaries will combine for a total of $36.8 million.

However, with pending unrestricted free agents such as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Jason Robertson, combined with the league’s rising salary cap, many around the NHL wonder whether another record-breaking contract could be signed in the near future.

Bedard’s deal puts him in great spot

Based on AAV, Bedard ranks fourth among all NHL contracts (third if only active contracts are considered, which would leave Celebrini out of the equation). In terms of total value, however, Bedard’s five-year, $75 million contract falls all the way to 35th in the league.

Still, the 21-year-old may not have wanted it any other way. In 2031, Bedard will get the chance to test free agency as a 25-year-old. With his prime years still ahead of him and coming off character-testing seasons with the Blackhawks, Bedard could be in line for a massive payday on the open market.

And even if he wants to stay in Chicago, the possibility of losing him in free agency would likely push the Blackhawks to go above and beyond with a top-of-the-market offer. All things considered, the timing couldn’t be much better for the North Vancouver native. It isn’t luck, though. This is exactly what Bedard’s camp was after and why it had no interest in signing a maximum-term deal.

“Everyone he’s played with, he’s made them better,” Bedard said during an interview on OverDrive. “Probably the best hands ever in the history of hockey and one of the best passers, some of the best IQ. So if it’s me or whoever is playing on his line, it’s going to make that player so much better. I’d be very lucky to get some passes from him for sure.”

Bedard didn’t go over the top with his statement, yet he got his message across and made it clear just how much he’d like to play with arguably the best American skater in NHL history. The Blackhawks have time to decide what the best course of action is, and Bedard will likely be back on the ice by late October-November, but the young star has made his pitch.

Much-needed help for Bedard

It’s been a long time coming, but Bedard finally has the chance to play alongside an elite talent on Chicago’s top unit—even if it comes in the form of a 37-year-old Kane. Better late than never.

The Blackhawks’ potential forward lines are one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new season, and even if Bedard isn’t available on opening night, he is already looking forward to sharing the ice with “Showtime.”

In the meantime, Bedard’s comments serve as a subtle “save me a spot” message to the organization. If one thing is clear, is that when Bedard speaks, Chicago listens.

Will Kane and Bedard play together?

Whether pairing Kane and Bedard on the top line is the right move, or whether the Blackhawks would be better off spreading out their talent across the top six, only time will tell. As with many things in Chicago lately, it will likely come down to trial and error. Those are the growing pains that accompany every NHL rebuild.

By now, the Blackhawks are all too familiar with them, and Kane will have to get used to them as well. It’s exactly what he signed up for when he put pen to paper on his new contract, a deal that underscores the organization’s urgency to help Bedard and the rest of the roster take the next step.

With Kane back in town, the Blackhawks finally got the missing piece to their top six group. Although Bedard won’t be available to play in the first games of the NHL season, Chicago is confident it can weather the storm, and Kane’s arrival is perfect to accomplish that.

Whether Kane will join Bedard on the first line or play alongside the young duo of Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell remains uncertain, and head coach Jeff Blashill has plenty of time to figure that out. For the time being, the Blackhawks are pleased to look at their top six and see it filled with possibilities. For the first time in a long while, Chicago has options, and that’s all they could ask for right now.

Blackhawks’ potential lineup

Although Kane will turn 38 midway through the upcoming season, he has proven he can still hang with the best players and compete against the top lines in the NHL. Moreover, it’d be surprising for the Hawks to leave him out of the top six after agreeing to pay him $8 million per season over the next two years. If Chicago were after a bottom-six player, it could’ve signed three players for the price of Kane.

Clearly, Kane will headline the top six, and perhaps the top unit alongside Bedard. At the end of the day, that’s what fans want to see. Even if only sporadically, Nos. 98 and 88 will join forces time and time again.

How Chicago could adjust to Bedard’s injury

With Bedard out to start the campaign, there’s reason to believe Nazar could center the top forward line, while Frondell anchors the second line. Other pieces would also have to be reshuffled to fill the vacant spots, but the change down the middle would be the most notable. Thus, barring new injuries or setbacks, this is how the Hawks may lineup during their season opener:

As reported by Elliotte Friedman, Patrick Kane has signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Under the deal, Kane gets the longer stay in Chicago he was reportedly after, rather than going through yet another contract year and nerve-racking offseason. “Showtime” is back in the City of Big Shoulders and is setting up shop on Michigan Avenue through the 2027-28 NHL season.

Although Bedard will be sidelined to start the NHL regular season (expected to miss September and October), Kane’s arrival should do wonders for the 21-year-old entering his fourth year in the league. Judging by how much money Chicago is investing in Kane at 37 (will turn 38 on Nov. 19), it’s clear the Blackhawks are growing anxious, and they don’t care to hide that from the rest of the league.

Kane’s new contract sets him for big raise

Coming off three consecutive one-year deals with the Detroit Red Wings, Kane informed the organization in Motor City he wouldn’t return—the franchise’s 10th straight playoff miss and Dylan Larkin’s ‘no way out’ trade request likely proved to be the last straw. It paid off for Kane, who is now set to make significantly more than he did in Detroit.

Kane earned a total of $9.75 million across his three seasons with the Red Wings. He will earn almost that much in just his first year back in Chi-town. During the 2026-27 NHL season, Kane will be the second-highest-paid player on the roster behind Bedard ($17 million salary this season).

In 2027-28, however, Kane will also drop behind Bowen Byram, whose six-year, $75 million extension will come into effect. Still, considering how much he was making in Detroit, Kane can’t complain. The cherry on top is that he gets to call the United Center home once again.

An unbeatable offer

While deciding between his hometown club and the organization that drafted him first overall was a difficult choice for Kane, the moment Chicago made its bid, the debate was probably over. No one saw such a deal coming, and it was certainly an offer the Sabres couldn’t match—and probably wouldn’t have been interested in matching.

The Sabres have roughly $5 million available in cap space, so they wouldn’t have been able to accommodate an $8 million AAV deal for the veteran Kane. Chicago, on the other hand, was well below the salary cap and was essentially negotiating with a blank check. In the end, the most logical outcome came to pass, and Kane signed with the Blackhawks.

Who knows? Maybe things don’t work out and Kane is traded to the Sabres before the deadline (more likely in 2028). For the time being, though, No. 88 is back in Chicago, and it seems that’s where he’ll spend the rest of his career.

“I hope so. I don’t know what I could say to persuade [Kane’s] decision. We’d all be so excited to have a player and a guy like that,” Bedard admitted, via Sportsnet. “I can’t imagine his first game back at the [United Center], the reaction he would get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well. That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him. Hopefully he decides to come back. It would make us a way better team. He’s still an amazing player.”

Bedard has long yearned for an elite teammate to join his line and the squad in Chicago. Through his first three seasons in the NHL, Bedard has won the Calder Memorial Trophy and put up impressive numbers, but he’s been about as far from team success as anyone could be.

Although he’ll turn 38 next season, Kane could still help the Blackhawks. He knows his way around the city and the organization, has plenty of experience when it comes to winning, and could add veteran leadership to one of the youngest lineups in the league.

Kane’s status

After signing one-year deals with the Detroit Red Wings in three consecutive free agencies, it seems Kane has had enough of Detroit, or vice versa. Either way, it seems “Showtime” won’t be back in Motor City for the 2026-27 NHL season.

According to a report from Chris Chelios, Kane’s pending decision will come down to the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks. For the time being, Kane remains a UFA ahead of the upcoming NHL campaign.

Last season, he signed a one-year, $3 million deal. If he’s looking for anything around that neighborhood, there’s no financial excuse as to why Chicago wouldn’t go after him. As things stand, the Hawks have about $14 million available in cap space, per PuckPedia.

Bedard on staying in Chicago

Although the offseason shoulder injury was an ice-cold bucket for Bedard ahead of a crucial year with the Blackhawks, he remains in high spirits, and he made that clear as he addressed the media for the first time since signing the five-year extension.

After fellow RFA Leo Carlsson signed an offer sheet, there was speculation Bedard could go down a similar path. However, the recently turned 21-year-old (July 17) didn’t plan to go anywhere and wasn’t going to force his team’s hand, no matter how long it took to settle on a new contract.

“Like I’ve said so much — and it’s not anything fake — Chicago is really the only place I want to play,” Bedard said, via Chicago Sun-Times. “Seeing the growth of our young guys and just how good of a group we are in the room, how tight it is, how much fun we have. I’m very happy to get this deal signed and just focus on the team.”

Bedard embraces adversity amid injury recovery

While fans around the league often complain about how uneventful the offseason can sometimes be, the Hawks would actually like some calm for a change. On July 8, the Blackhawks announced Bedard had undergone successful surgery on his left shoulder and will be out for approximately four months. That means Bedard will likely miss the first month of the 2026-27 campaign.

Though it’s deflating to suffer what he called a “fluky” injury and to miss games due to health reasons for the third time in four seasons in the league, Bedard believes it could all work out for the better.

‘‘It’s a terrible part of the game,’’ Bedard admitted, per Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘But for me, to have this next little bit and go through that adversity and try to get stronger mentally, that’s how I’m looking at it. And then [when I] come back [I’m] not going to be scared.’’

Big season loading for Bedard

A big season awaits Bedard, one in which the Blackhawks will look to take a firm step forward. Perhaps it will also be Bedard’s first year as captain in the NHL. Chicago has yet to announce who will wear the “C.” If Kane returns, it could complicate Bedard’s candidacy—or it may not.

Only time will tell, and there’s plenty of it left before the puck drops on the Hawks’ season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 29 at T-Mobile Arena.

Both Bedard and the Hawks want to make it work, so the process should not take long. However, the player’s camp may be unwilling to budge on the term of the pending deal. It shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but it may be something that Chicago comes back to regret.

“I don’t think Bedard is [going to re-sign for] full term. I think it’ll be shorter,” David Pagnotta said on Oilers Nation Everyday. According to Pagnotta, if Bedard chose to re-sign for the full term (seven or eight years), he could make up to $16–17 million in AAV. Such a contract would make him the highest-paid center in the NHL, surpassing Leon Draisaitl’s $14M AAV.

Whether that value is realistic or justified for Bedard—who has yet to record a 100-point season—is a different question. In his defense, it is hard to put up that many points while playing on one of the worst and shallowest rosters in the league.

Contract terms implications for Bedard

By choosing to sign a shorter deal, Bedard would likely pass on a couple of million dollars, but the financial loss might be worth it if it grants him an easier way out in case the Blackhawks’ rebuild explodes in his face. If Bedard were to sign a long-term contract, he would virtually chain himself to United Center and brace for whatever comes next in Chicago.

The former first overall pick remains confident in the organization, but he has been in Windy City for three NHL seasons and has yet to experience any form of team success. By signing a mid-term extension, he leaves the door slightly open to ask out in case his patience runs thin.

Moreover, Bedard may not want to sign such a lucrative contract. He is well aware that the Blackhawks need every dollar they can get to bolster the lineup around him. Bedard can live with a couple fewer million dollars if it means the supporting cast will improve. He is not one to call out his teammates, but it is no secret that Chicago has failed him in that regard since drafting him in 2023.

Bedard hopes for change

The North Vancouver kid wants to see winds of change blow through Windy City, and it may start with him taking a few cents on the dollar. Determined to help the team in every way he can, Bedard may not want a franchise-record-breaking contract, but saving money will come at a cost for the Hawks—namely in the form of term.

Cheaper rarely means better, and the Blackhawks may revisit that lesson soon. For the time being, though, they are content with any way they can keep Bedard in town. If it is only for four or five years, then so be it.

Talks between Bedard and Chicago have been slow, with few updates as of late. However, things may be quietly simmering. With the NHL’s confirmation of the salary cap spike—which had already been reported and expected league-wide—it’s safe to assume extension negotiations are set to pick up pace.

“This is big for extension negotiations,” as stated by @NHLRumourReport on X. “Would not be surprised if we see some in the coming weeks now that the numbers are solidified.”

New salary cap details

As reported by Elliotte Friedman, the NHL has announced that the salary cap floor has been set at $76.9 million. The midpoint has been adjusted to $90.4 million, with the salary cap ceiling spiking to $104 million. In the 2025–26 NHL season, the floor was $70.9 million, with a $95.5 million ceiling. Moreover, the league has announced that the maximum salary will now be $20.8 million.

Kirill Kaprizov signed the biggest contract in league history ($17 million average annual value) in his eight-year, $136 million deal, which will begin next season. Under his current contract, he is set to earn an annual salary of $19.1 million in 2026–27, per PuckPedia.

Bedard’s contract projections

Bedard is expected to put pen to paper on a top-of-the-market contract, but all signs suggest he won’t demand a deal of that magnitude. Still, after playing through his three-year, $2.85 million entry-level contract, it’s time for him to earn a salary aligned with his role in Chicago—especially as he’s set to become the franchise’s next captain.

According to an April report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Bedard could sign for an AAV in the $13.5–15 million range. There might be a bigger dilemma surrounding the term of the contract. Starting Sept. 16, eight-year deals will become a thing of the past in the NHL.

When could Bedard re-sign with Hawks?

Both Bedard and the Blackhawks have expressed a willingness to make ends meet, and there should be no drama as the two sides work something out. Bedard is taking his time, Chicago won’t rush him, and a deal could be finalized at any point in the offseason.

Now that the league has revealed the full details of the 2026–27 salary cap, there are no lingering uncertainties that might make Bedard’s camp anxious. Everything is clear—Bedard knows what to ask for, and the Blackhawks will—perhaps with a few huffs here and there—agree and get it done.

As reported by Darren Dreger, Team Canada will feature the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Gavin McKenna, Mark Scheifele, and Matthew Barzal during the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Other household names like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid may even join the national team if they suffer early eliminations from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 NHL season.

However, where Bedard stands is somewhat of a mystery. Fans in the Great White North would love to see the Blackhawks‘ star join forces with fellow North Vancouver native and close friend, Celebrini, while sharing the ice with the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL entry Draft, McKenna.

If Crosby and McDavid are to join Team Canada, the prospect is even more exciting. Matthew Schaefer could join the team, too. It all adds up to a perfect opportunity for the new wave of great Canadian talent to showcase themselves at the international level.

Why Bedard may turn down invitation

Bedard has yet to sign an extension with the Blackhawks (set to become a restricted free agent on July 1). The young star and his camp may have some concerns about playing without insurance, so to speak, as an injury in the international tournament could come back to bite him in his next contract in Chicago.

Moreover, Bedard is expected to be named the franchise’s next captain this offseason, and he might think leaving in the middle of the offseason for Europe may send the wrong message throughout the organization in the Windy City. After all, the Hawks are in Chi-town, so they couldn’t care any less about Team Canada’s pursuit for its 29th IIHF World Championship title.

Still, being absent once again could prove costly for Bedard and his reputation with Team Canada. This upcoming tournament is a great chance for him to mend bridges and showcase himself before the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. Even if the IIHF World Championship isn’t the trophy Bedard dreams of hoisting, it might be necessary to participate in it if he wants to play in more meaningful tournaments like the World Cup of Hockey and the Olympics.

Bedard’s history with Team Canada

Bedard declined his invitation to the World Championship last year, as he wanted to focus on improving his game during the summer. He was coming off a rough sophomore campaign, and the move paid off as he registered career highs in the 2025–26 NHL season.

The scenario looks quite different for Bedard at the moment. Though there’s always room for improvement, he’s shown he is already among the league’s elite. However, timing is definitely not on his side. For completely different reasons, Bedard might miss another great chance to represent his country. That’s the bottom line.

Some believe the fact Bedard turned Team Canada down last year has yet to be forgiven. Perhaps it played a role in the decision to leave Bedard off the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Maybe Team Canada “forgets” to invite Bedard this time around, or the invitation is mysteriously lost in the mail.

When does the IIHF World Championship start?

Regardless of where Bedard’s mind is, the 20-year-old has yet to announce his plans for the summer. The 2026 IIHF World Championship will start on May 15, so time is running short for him to make his intentions clear to Hockey Canada. With or without Bedard, the Canadians have put together a second-to-none squad that is expected to come away with the championship.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leaf, the same was said last season—and the year before that—yet Canada failed to even reach the gold medal game in consecutive years. In 2026, Team Canada will look to snap its drought and avenge last year’s quarterfinal elimination, as well as wipe the sour taste out of its mouth after losing the gold-medal game at the 2026 Olympics.

As it stands, the last time Bedard donned the Maple Leaf sweater was during the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He recorded 8 points in 10 games, as Canada fell in the third-place game against Sweden. Whether Bedard joins Team Canada in 2026, however, remains unanswered.

Bedard’s medal tally with Canada

Although Bedard could put up some resistance to the Blackhawks’ ideal contract, all signs indicate the two parties should agree on a new deal without any hiccups. However, Bedard wants to see progress in Chicago. As he cleared out his locker at the United Center, Bedard dropped a bold statement for the organization and his teammates to listen.

“This has to be the last year of not playing until the end of the year, not playing for something in the playoff standings,” Bedard said, via Ben Pope of Chicago Sun-Times. “That’s on us as individuals. I take a lot of responsibility for that. I feel like we can all just pull with the same rope.”

While putting everybody in Chicago on notice, Bedard didn’t distance himself from the root of the problem for the Blackhawks. The 20-year-old center made sure to own up to his responsibility. Chicago is in need of a captain, and even after yet another disheartening NHL season, Bedard is showing he has the qualities of one.

Bedard is set for an extension

The Blackhawks are heading for a long offseason after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight NHL season. This time around there’s an elephant in the room in Chi-city. Bedard’s entry-level contract (three years, $2.85 million) will come to an end, and the 20-year-old will become a restricted free agent (RFA).

With absolutely no risk of losing him, the Hawks can take their time to find a deal that hits the sweet spot for both the franchise and Bedard’s camp. After spending his first three seasons on a $950,000 AAV contract, Bedard’s net worth will finally take off.

Bedard on contract talks

Negotiations shouldn’t drag on too long, but even if they do, Bedard is showing he couldn’t be bothered to stress about it. That aspect of the business has him carefree. The future captain of the Blackhawks has enough on his plate trying to help the on-ice product improve.

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it once this year. I know I want to be here. We’ll get it done soon. I don’t think, if it’s not done in a month, there’s any worry,” Bedard admitted, via Ben Pope.

Bedard’s numbers

With a 75-point (30 G, 45 A) season in 2025–26, Bedard reached the 200-point mark in his career. He accomplished the feat in just his third season in the league. Betting on himself in a contract year, Bedard proved his talent once again. He did go through a slump in his sophomore year, but the team did him little to no favors.

Bedard won’t ever call out his teammates, but it goes without saying in the Windy City. The Blackhawks must spend in free agency to surround Bedard with talent. If not, it will be yet another long year for fans in Chicago, with Bedard being left out to dry and asked to carry an entire organization on his back.

When it comes to Bedard, the talent has always been there, and now it’s out there for everybody in the league to see. It’s up to the Hawks to help their franchise savior out for once.

All signs indicate both sides are favoring a quick resolution to the contract negotiations. However, Bedard’s camp may complicate things if they are only willing to accept a certain term on the next contract. The money side of the deal seems to be the one that will be agreed to more easily and quickly.

“The Hawks would love to secure Bedard for eight years. That probably is the most likely outcome, but [Bedard’s] camp could push for a five-year deal,” as reported on Chicago Sun-Times. “That would give him an opportunity for an even bigger payday as an unrestricted 26-year-old, for example.“

Time is of the essence

If the Blackhawks want to re-sign Bedard to a league-max eight-year contract, they must move fast. The NHL‘s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and the Players’ Association (NHLPA) will be in effect starting Sept. 16. From that date onwards, the maximum term on a contract will go down to seven years.

Based on Bedard and the Blackhawks’ comments on the situation, it’d be surprising if his extension took that long. However, anything can happen. If the Blackhawks lowball Bedard’s camp, negotiations may dry up, and it could take until the start of training camp for both sides to reach an agreement. If that’s the case, Chicago’s ideal eight-year extension could be off the table.

Regardless of the exact term and salary details, there is little to no chance that Bedard doesn’t sign a long-term contract with the Hawks prior to the start of the 2026-27 NHL season. Bedard will become a restricted free agent (RFA) and he isn’t eligible for arbitration, so there’s really no fear in Chicago that a deal will be agreed to.

Bedard’s value went up

Bedard bet on himself. The former first overall pick in 2023 was eligible to sign an extension starting July 1, 2025. However, he opted to kick the can on negotiations and play on a contract year in the 2025–26 campaign. The move paid off, as Bedard recorded career highs in goals, assists, and points (30, 45, and 75, respectively).

Bedard’s rise was the main item on a very short list of positive takeaways for the Hawks in a season that saw them finish second-to-last in the league. As a result, Bedard’s value has only increased. Reports suggest his next contract’s average annual value (AAV) will be in the $13.5–15 million range, earning him a seat at the table of the best-paid players in the league—deservedly so.

Connor Bedard: In his captain era

With his next contract in Chi-City, Bedard will likely also receive another distinction. The Blackhawks saw the captaincy vacated after Nick Foligno was traded to the Minnesota Wild, and there’s little doubt that Bedard will become the 37th captain in franchise history.

“We know [Frondell is] a special talent. From everything you hear, super hard worker, super great guy, so I’m just excited to have him over. He’s going to be a good player for us,” Connor Bedard commented on his newest teammate Anton Frondell, via The Athletic’s Scott Powers.

Frondell joined the Blackhawks after his team (Djurgardens IF) back in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) was eliminated from the playoffs. With his season in Europe over, the Hawks decided it was time to fly the 18-year-old across the Atlantic and have him join the squad. Frondell is coming off a 28-point season in the SHL, in which he scored 20 goals and assisted 8 others.

Who will Frondell play with in debut?

Although Jeff Blashill initially dodged a question about Bedard and Frondell potentially playing together, the decision has now been confirmed. The Blackhawks are investing in their young duo right from the get-go.

Frondell will make his NHL debut alongside Bedard and Ryan Greene on the first line. With an average age of 20, the Hawks are now tied with the Sharks for the youngest top forward unit in the league.

What this means for the Blackhawks

This shows just how highly the organization thinks of the Swedish rookie. However, a more pessimistic perspective could see this lineup move as an indicator of how shallow Chicago’s talent depth is. Frondell has yet to take his rookie lap in the league, and he’s already considered a top-liner. Either way, Bedard will welcome him with open arms.

Since he arrived in Chicago, ‘Bedsy’ has yet to be surrounded by top talent, and Frondell has all the tools and potential to become an elite NHLer. The game against the Islanders could be historic. Perhaps it’s the first outing of an alliance that will make much noise in the Windy City.

If the sun ever comes up again at the United Center, it’ll likely be with Bedard and Frondell leading the way. Now, Blackhawks fans finally get to see them together on the ice.