The Chicago Blackhawks locked up Connor Bedard on Saturday, signing the forward to a five-year, $75-million extension that carries a $15 million annual cap hit.
Bedard’s production in 2025-26 made the deal an easy headline. He put up 30 goals and 45 assists for 75 points in 69 games, all career bests. Across three NHL seasons, the 21-year-old has totaled 75 goals and 128 assists for 203 points in 219 games.
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Blackhawks’ general manager Kyle Davidson said in a team press release. “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice.
“Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey,” Davidson added.
Chicago made Bedard the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and his track record stretches well beyond the NHL. In three junior seasons with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, he scored 134 goals and had 137 assists for 271 points in 134 regular-season games.
The North Vancouver, B.C., native has also been a major figure for Canada on the international stage. He helped Canada win back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championship gold medals in 2022 and 2023, collecting 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points in 14 games across the two tournaments. He is Canada’s all-time leader in World Junior goals and points.
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Greenways fit will come down to whether he can stay available and give the Blackhawks a real option on a nightly basis. Chicago is expected to use him with other players on the fourth line, and if he can settle into that role, it would give the club a more functional lower-end lineup than it has had in recent seasons. [Read more 🡒]