Connor Bedard Could Command ‘Wild’ Money on Next Blackhawks Contract

Connor Bedard isn’t just going to get paid by the Chicago Blackhawks; he could, and likely will, become their highest-paid player in franchise history. As the Blackhawks prepare to negotiate his second NHL contract, there’s growing belief that the young superstar could command “wild” money on his next deal.

And by wild, we mean a similar amount of money to what Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov is making in Minnesota.

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Since being selected first overall in 2023, Bedard has transformed the trajectory of the franchise. The Blackhawks have continued to struggle as a team, but he’s more than pulling his weight. He’s become the face of the rebuild, revitalized fan interest, increased ticket sales, and more. In many ways, he’s already proven indispensable.

That kind of impact comes with leverage—and Bedard has plenty of it.

As per Scott Powers and Shayna Goldman of The Athletic, there’s little doubt he’ll become the highest-paid player on the team. The question is how high that number climbs.

Some projections place his next deal in the $13–$15 million range annually, but there’s a realistic scenario where Bedard pushes even higher. With the salary cap rising and elite players across the league signing massive extensions, the bar continues to move. Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million cap hit is one example of just how aggressive top-end players have become if they’re going to commit to long-term deals.

They write, “Since Kaprizov’s $17 million AAV extension last September, another eight players have signed deals worth at least $10 million AAV. Bedard is bound to join that tier. The question is how far over that line he will go.”

Could Bedard Get Up Closer to $20 Million?

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are in a unique position. With ample cap space and a long-term rebuild still underway, they have the flexibility to meet almost any demand. They also write, “The reality is the Blackhawks could pay Bedard $20 million a season in a short-term deal and still not get anywhere near the cap ceiling.”

Whether Bedard opts for maximum term or a shorter deal with a higher cap hit, Chicago may have little choice but to say yes.

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