The Chicago Blackhawks announced Saturday afternoon that they have agreed to a new five-year contract worth $75 million with the number one pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard. Bedard’s new contract has an average annual value of $15 million.
BREAKING: The #Blackhawks have signed Connor Bedard to a 5-year contract worth an estimated $15 million.
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@Croumeliotis) July 18, 2026
Bedard is following in Sidney Crosby’s footsteps when it comes to number superstition. We know Crosby has an AAV of $8.7 million because of his number 87. Yes, Bedard, who wears jersey number 98, will receive a signing bonus of $9.8 million in each year of the contract.
The #Blackhawks have signed 21-year-old Connor Bedard to a five-year, $15M contract.
Year 1: $7.2M Salary, $9.8M Signing Bonus
Year 2: $6.2M/$9.8M
Year 3: $5.2M/$9.8M
Year 4: $4.2M/$9.8M
Year 5: $3.2M/$9.8MFull NMC in Yr 5, deal includes 1 season UFA
Represented by Greg Landry @TheHockeyAgency…
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 18, 2026
Going into the 2026 offseason, many wondered which of Bedard, Leo Carlsson, and Adam Fantilli would sign their extension first, and the others to follow. All three players were waiting for the other to make the market as they discussed their plans after the season.
NHL News: Connor Bedard, Barrett Hayton, Libor Hajek, and Reilly Walsh
Leo Carlsson has set the market for the Anaheim Ducks to match the five-year, $18 million per season deal presented by the Philadelphia Flyers. Most thought Bedard would come in at that price or maybe more. Most thought Bedard would earn $16-$17 million per season from the Blackhawks, as stated during an appearance Friday on the SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Power Play segment.
Plus, if the Blackhawks weren’t going to pay him that kind of money, another team would. However, signing the offer sheet never crossed Bedard’s mind. He believed in what was being built in Chicago.
“Connor “He made it clear even after (Carlsson’s) 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 content and happy to stay where he was in Chicago,” Bedard’s agent Don Meehan said.
Entering a 206-27 season, Connor Bedard will be the third highest paid player in the NHL at $15 million per season. Carlsson set the bar with an AAV of $18 million, followed by Kirill Kaprizov with an AAV of $17 million. Just like quarterbacks in the NFL, there will always be another player who wants to be the highest paid player in terms of AAV in the NHL.
Macklin Celebrini Extension Eligible, and Connor Bedard Will Get Big New Deal
In terms of terms, Bedard follows in the footsteps of Auston Matthews, who signed a five-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, opting out of his opt-out agreement. Matthews then signed a four-year contract with two years remaining.
Auston Matthews’ habit of taking a mid-range contract and increasing his value in multiple deals with a rising cap is in full effect #blackhawks
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 18, 2026
Younger players are starting to pay attention to the salary increase; therefore, they take these mid-range deals to increase their value in the open market many times over. The trend of Auston Matthews followed and came to the NHL.
In addition, like Matthews, Bedard’s first entry-level contract takes up about 14.4 percent of the salary cap. Matthews took 14.3 percent of the cap.
Connor Bedard’s second NHL contract:
• 5 years x $15 million cap hit = $75 million total
• Cap %: 14.4Auston Matthews’ second NHL contract:
• 5 years x $11.634 million cap hit = $58.195 million total
• Cap %: 14.3The percentages are almost the same. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@Croumeliotis) July 19, 2026
Patrick Kane to Decide Between Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres
The Chicago Blackhawks are still a work in progress with Bedard, Frank Nazar, Spencer, and Bowen Byram. Remember, GM Kyle Davidson sent the fourth round pick to the Buffalo Sabers for Byram and then signed him to a six-year deal with an AAV of $12.5 million.
?Night Cap Recap ?
Connor Bedard Signs Extension in Chicago
Good Good Deal #blackhawks pic.twitter.com/g3ueDQ68gy
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 18, 2026
All eyes are on Adam Fantilli and the Columbus Blue Jackets to see where he fits in and the length of the deal.
Not to mention, it’s time for the Chicago Blackhawks to take action. What can they do with Connor Bedard out with a shoulder injury for almost six weeks until the season starts?
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