Connor Bedard made one thing clear: the Blackhawks were never going to be a negotiation point.
With offer sheet chatter swirling after the Philadelphia Flyers’ historic $18 million AAV move for Leo Carlsson, Bedard said the idea never had traction on his side. The 21-year-old told his camp from the beginning that he wasn’t interested in going down that road.
“For me, I kind of let them know from the start that it wasn’t something I was ever going to do. The risk of not being a Blackhawk wasn’t worth any amount of money.”
That stance helps explain why the speculation never turned into anything more. Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, ultimately settled in with Chicago on a five-year, $75 million extension that carries a $15 million annual average value.
The Blackhawks’ young star is also working his way back from a setback. Bedard recently had successful surgery on his left shoulder after an off-season workout injury and is expected to miss about four months while he rehabs.
While Bedard’s future in Chicago is locked in, Patrick Kane is back in the picture too. After signing a two-year, $16 million deal, Kane has returned to the Blackhawks for a second stint, and he’s already talking about what it could look like skating with Bedard.
“I mean, how can you not? He’s such a special player,” Kane said via NHL.com.
This will be my 20th year in the League, and I’ll probably see passes I’ve never seen before playing with him. That speaks to how great of a player he is.
But yeah, wherever I fit in, I fit in. No matter who it’s with, I’m going to try to make the most of it.”
Kane’s return brings him back to the franchise where he spent 16 seasons and helped deliver three Stanley Cup championships. Before coming back to Chicago, he played three seasons with the Red Wings and put up 163 points, with 57 goals and 106 assists, in 189 games.
In Other News...
Blackhawks May Not Be Done After The Kane Signing
Patrick Kanes return on a two-year deal gave Chicago a headline move and a familiar face, but it may not be the final step in the Blackhawks offseason work. With training camp and the season still ahead, the front office has at least left open the possibility of adding another forward to round out the roster and bring a little more balance to the group.
The appeal is straightforward: Chicago could still use help up front, especially from a player who can fit into multiple roles and make an immediate impact without needing the puck on his stick all the time. One option would bring a more rugged, penalty-killing presence, while another would offer a chance to rebound after a quieter year split between two teams, which is the kind of low-risk swing a rebuilding club can justify before the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Fans Know This Goalie Nightmare Has Reached Another Level
For years, Blackhawks fans have had a familiar kind of dread when Andrei Vasilevskiy is on the other side of the ice. The Tampa Bay star has built a long track record of making Chicagos offense look ordinary, and the comparison points around the league only sharpen the picture, with Terry Sawchuk still sitting atop the all-time list and Connor Hellebuyck leading active goaltenders in wins against the Blackhawks.
Chicago did finally break through against Vasilevskiy in 2025, a small but notable jolt for a team that has spent too much time chasing him. Still, the broader pattern has not gone away, and the latest meeting only reminded everyone how thin the margin is when the Blackhawks run into one of the NHLs most reliable playoff-era goalies, especially with another tense chapter already in the books. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Kane Just Made Chicagos Forward Picture A Lot More Complicated
Patrick Kanes return to the Blackhawks has already changed the conversation around Chicagos forward group, and not just because of his name recognition. With a veteran scorer back in the fold, the lineup picture suddenly looks more layered, with Kane expected to land in a prominent role and force the coaching staff to sort out where everyone else fits once the puck drops.
Frank Nazar stands to benefit from the early shuffle as the likeliest center to help anchor the top unit while the roster waits for its young star to come back. The Blackhawks can map out one set of lines for the opening stretch and another for later in the season, but Kanes presence means there is already a real debate over who skates where, and how much flexibility Chicago will need once the lineup gets its full shape. [Read more 🡒]