A Trade Quietly Triggered Bedard’s Extension with the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks inked Connor Bedard to a five-year extension on Saturday, a deal that will see the superstar make $15 million per season over the next several seasons. But, it might not have been Leo Carlsson‘s contract extension, or other deals getting discussed at a similar dollar figure, that got this over the finish line. No, it actually might have been a trade.

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On paper, Chicago’s Bowen Byram trade and Bedard’s contract extension look like two separate offseason moves. Line them up on a timeline, though, and it’s hard to ignore the notion that one led to the other, especially given their backstory. Acquiring and signing Byram might not have just been a hockey decision. It might have been a retention strategy.

The personal connection between Bedard and Byram is legitimate. Both are from British Columbia, have skated together in Vancouver during the offseason for years, and were teammates on Team Canada. According to Frank Seravalli, Bedard was reportedly so excited by the trade that he called Byram from the golf course the moment it happened — before Byram had even done his introductory press conference. Byram later confirmed the two had talked, saying, “we just shared how excited we were with each other,” and pointedly noted that Bedard is “really the only guy on the team that I know.”

That’s a notably strong reaction from a franchise cornerstone to the acquisition of a defenseman — one Chicago paid a real price for, sending out the 4th overall pick to get him.

With Byram locked in, Bedard wasn’t far behind.

Byram’s trade happened on June 23, just before the draft. Bedard’s extension talks were still unresolved weeks later, with Chicago Hockey Now reporting real anxiety that the Leo Carlsson offer sheet fallout could tempt another team to make a run at Bedard while he remained unsigned. However, an offer sheet was never an issue.

Related: The Real Reason Connor Bedard’s $75M Deal Isn’t What It Looks Like

Bedard’s agent Don Meehan said:

“Connor made it clear even after the (Carlsson) offer sheet — and before the offer sheet — that he had no intention of signing an offer sheet, that he was happy in Chicago, believed in the organization, believed in his teammates, and was quite content and happy to stay exactly where he was in Chicago.”

He added, “Connor’s very happy. He always was committed and has made it clear that he’s very happy in Chicago. He really believes in his teammates… He believes, and he’s totally committed.”

Bedard Wanted to Play on the Same Team as Byram

One of those teammates is now Byram — someone Bedard already trusted and wanted to play with.

It’s not the only reason the deal came together. But the timing lines up, pairing a genuine friend and skilled puck-mover next to the team’s franchise player made it easier for Bedard to commit. It isn’t just a coincidence.

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