{"id":490446,"date":"2026-07-18T16:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T20:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=490446"},"modified":"2026-07-18T16:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T20:38:59","slug":"connor-bedard-extension-chi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/07\/18\/connor-bedard-extension-chi\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Ink Franchise Cornerstone to Long-Term Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed franchise cornerstone and 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard<\/a> to a five-year extension. The deal is for $15 million per season, totaling $75 million. General manager Kyle Davidson, fresh off a contract extension of his own<\/a>, talked about how much of a priority this deal was. Now, the Hawks have their guy locked up long-term. Let’s dive into the signing. We take a deeper dive into the Connor Bedard extension.<\/p>\n

Connor Bedard Extension Signed by Chicago Blackhawks<\/h3>\n

Bedard just capped off the third year of his entry-level contract, making him a pending restricted free agent. Even though the team still would have his exclusive rights, it was unlikely that Chicago would let the negotiations go on for any longer. The deal takes Bedard until his age 25 season, when he will hit unrestricted free agency.<\/p>\n

Bedard’s extension is much deserved<\/a>, as he has proven to be worthy of the 2023 first-overall pick and delivered in every way Chicago could have imagined. He won the Calder trophy in 2024 as the league’s top rookie and has increased both his goal and point totals in the league since being drafted. Bedard has also pushed through the Hawks’ struggles in surrounding him with secondary scoring, though Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a> contributed in a big way<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n

The 2025-26 campaign was Bedard’s most productive, earning him the big bucks. The superstar netted his first career 30-goal campaign and led the team with 75 points, all while missing 13 games. The team was in a Stanley Cup Playoff spot until Bedard’s injury, in a season with not many expectations. He proved himself to be the biggest contributor in a long list of talented young players who will usher the Blackhawks into the next phase of the rebuild.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0(Credit Image: \u00a9 Armando L. Sanchez\/Chicago Tribune via ZUMA Press Wire)<\/span><\/p>\n

Bedard Establishing Himself as ‘The Guy’ in the Windy City<\/h3>\n

As mentioned, this contract signifies Bedard as the franchise cornerstone for the next five years, likely even longer. This past season was the first where all of the Hawks’ young talent came together and showed what they can do, and Bedard was right at the center. Ryan Greene<\/a> saw extended time with Bedard, while Anton Frondell<\/a> also joined Bedard’s wing after being called up. Additionally, Frank Nazar<\/a> continued to anchor the second-line centre position.<\/p>\n

Per Bedard’s own words, the Hawks are entering a competitive era of the organization. While there is still work to be done, Bedard’s extension signals a serious push for the playoffs next season.<\/p>\n

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BREAKING: Connor Bedard 5x$15M #Blackhawks<\/a><\/p>\n

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n