Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard spent much of last season downplaying questions about his next contract.
That said, he always kept repeating and making one thing clear, and that's his desire to win, and to do so in Chicago with the team that drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
“I talk about wanting to win, we all want to win, I want to win here for as long as I’m playing,” Bedard said in April.
Bedard backed those comments Saturday by signing a five-year, $75 million extension carrying a $15 million average annual value. The agreement keeps the 21-year-old center under contract through the 2030-31 season.
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Along with the announcement of Bedard's extension, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson shared a statement on Chicago's decision to sign the forward to a new contract.
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Davidson said. “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice.
“Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”
The contract makes Bedard the NHL’s third-highest-paid player by average annual value, trailing only Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson ($18M AAV) and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov ($17M AAV).
Bedard, who won the Calder Trophy as a rookie, has led Chicago in scoring during each of his first three NHL seasons, producing 75 goals and 203 points across 219 games.
The Blackhawks have not yet returned to the postseason during his tenure, last making the playoffs in 2020, but Bedard said he remains confident in the organization’s direction.
“I can’t be more confident that we are going to get to where we want to get to. It’s going to be a fun journey,” Bedard said. “I think that’s what people say they look back on is kind of growing up together and kind of getting better and better. We’re motivated to do that.”
