Connor Bedard wants to stay in Chicago. That much he has said publicly, more than once. But wanting to stay and actually getting a deal done are two different things, and right now the two sides don’t seem all that close.
According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, the negotiations between Bedard’s camp and the Blackhawks haven’t made much progress. Bedard is a restricted free agent, and everyone involved knows the price tag is going to be massive. We’re talking somewhere in the $13 million to $16 million range for the cap hit. The Blackhawks have planned for that number. That’s not the issue.
The real question is the term. Bedard could sign an eight-year max deal, which is what most stars have done lately. Or he could push for four or five years, which would let him hit the market again in his prime and chase an even bigger payday. That decision is going to shape the franchise for the next decade.
The Blackhawks have cap room but not much else
Chicago has about $48.25 million in cap space this offseason. That sounds like a lot, and it is. But they also have a long way to go before they’re competitive. The Blackhawks finished 29-39-14 last season, dead last in the Central Division. Bedard can’t fix that by himself.
The good news is the team has assets. They’ve got a first-round pick and three second-round picks in the 2026 draft, plus three first-rounders in 2027. There’s a young core forming around Bedard, and the front office has been patient about not rushing things. But patience wears thin when your star player’s extension is dragging out.
Beyond Bedard, the Blackhawks have Ethan Del Mastro as a restricted free agent and three unrestricted free agents to deal with. Even if they re-sign everyone they want, they’d still have over $20 million in cap space. That’s plenty of flexibility to add pieces. But cap space doesn’t matter if you can’t convince players to come to a team that just finished last in its division.
What happens next
Bedard’s agents are going to negotiate hard. That’s their job. The Blackhawks are going to try to lock him up long-term while keeping enough cap flexibility to build around him. Both sides have reasons to get a deal done, but neither side is in a rush. The draft is coming up, and free agency follows soon after. Something has to give eventually.
For now, Blackhawks fans are stuck waiting. And waiting. The silence from the front office isn’t making anyone feel better.
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