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Major turning events and Connor Bedard will sign the opposite of a team friendly contract extension
Photo credit: NHL.com
Per analyst Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times, Connor Bedard isn't going to be signing a new contract that will be considered team friendly in the eyes of fans.
It's going to be one of the bigger storylines for the Chicago Blackhawks this year - the status going forward of Connor Bedard, who was taken with the 1st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
The Blackhawks took Bedard after they won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery in controversial fashion, and have since had the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in subsequent Drafts.
But Bedard is coming into the final year of the 3 year entry level deal he signed shortly after being taken, and it's been a slow-go on negotiations for an extension.
Per analyst Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times, Bedard's next deal could take up over 10% of Chicago's salary cap.
A Hawks-Bedard compromise might land in the 12%-13% range - in other words, roughly $12.5 million-$13.5 million.
An AAV (average annual value) of $13.5 million would make Bedard one of the 10 highest paid players in the NHL.
Kyle Davidson expressed optimism of signing Bedard
Davidson wasted no time during training camp relieving any stress that Blackhawks fans might have of the thought of Bedard playing in another sweater.
He stressed that Bedard wants to remain with Chicago for a long time:
I have zero concern about where that's headed. [Bedard] wants to be here for a long time. We want him here for a long time. We're going to make that happen.
It doesn't look like the relationship between Bedard and the Blackhawks will be coming to a close any time soon.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 20 | 624 ANSWERS Major turning events and Connor Bedard will sign the opposite of a team friendly contract extension Is Connor Bedard worthy of making $13.5 million a year? | ||
| Yes | 214 | 34.3 % |
| No | 410 | 65.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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