Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard agrees to a five-year, $75 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The deal keeps him with the team as he is coming off left-shoulder surgery and is in rehabilitation. Several outlets describe the extension as having a $15 million average annual value ($15M AAV) for the salary cap, and note that Bedard is a restricted free agent at the time of the agreement. One report says the terms place him among the NHL’s highest-paid players based on average annual salary.
Coverage also highlights that the contract extension has been discussed since Bedard was selected first overall by Chicago in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks announce the agreement in the offseason, framing it as a key move during their rebuilding process and as a major step for both the team and Bedard. CBS Sports notes that while the deal is finalized, additional work remains for Bedard and the organization following the extension.
