Chicago has signed franchise player and restricted free agent Connor Bedard to a 5-year, $75 million ($15 million AAV) contract, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Bedard’s contract is front-loaded; he will receive $17 million this season, which will decrease by $1 million each season until he is paid $13 million in year 5.
In 2025-26, Bedard set career highs in goals (30), assists (45) & points (75) in just 69 games, eclipsing the prior season’s totals where he played all 82 contests. His points total has increased in all three NHL seasons of his career (61, 67 & 75).
In a training accident, Bedard suffered a recent shoulder injury requiring surgery. He is not expected to be in the Blackhawks’ lineup until November of this upcoming season.
