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NHL implements new ruling that changes things for Connor Bedard's contract extension with the Blackhawks
Photo credit: NHL.com
A new ruling implemented by the NHL is changing things for Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks in their contract extension negotiations.
The league and the NHLPA recently agreed on an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and it's set to reshape how teams approach star players.
One of the biggest changes will be the end of the eight-year contract structure, with seven years becoming the new maximum length teams can offer.
That shift could dramatically alter how organizations plan around their franchise players.
For Chicago, the spotlight is on Connor Bedard.
Many fans and analysts expected the Blackhawks to lock him up to a long-term deal as soon as this summer, when he officially became eligible.
But there is less urgency to finalize an agreement right away than most people believe.
Blackhawks Still Have Time To Secure Bedard's Future
As The Athletic's James Mirtle pointed out, the new rules don't kick in just yet:
"I checked in with some teams on this and one thing they said to keep in mind is that barring a negotiated change, the newly-agreed-to CBA actually doesn't take effect until September 2026, meaning there is still plenty of time for teams to sign players to eight-year deals."
That timeline works perfectly in Chicago's favor. The current CBA, which was originally signed in 2013 and extended in 2020, doesn't expire until September 15, 2026. The extension will then carry the league through 2030.
For the Blackhawks, this means they can still offer Bedard a full eight-year deal before the new restrictions take over.
Of course, the real question becomes what the contract will look like. Some experts believe Chicago should waste no time and give Bedard the maximum term and salary available.
Others think it's worth waiting, especially since his value could climb even higher if he keeps developing at the pace he's on.
Either way, it would be shocking if the Blackhawks don't get a deal done. Bedard is the centerpiece of the rebuild, and locking him in long-term is non-negotiable.
If it's eight years, don't be surprised if the average annual value ends up on the higher side.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 29 | 608 ANSWERS NHL implements new ruling that changes things for Connor Bedard's contract extension with the Blackhawks Do you think Connor Bedard will sign an eight-year, $10M AAV contract in Chicago? | ||
| Yes | 375 | 61.7 % |
| No | 233 | 38.3 % |
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