Chicago Blackhawks have $21 million contract worry with Connor Bedard now

The longer the Chicago Blackhawks wait to sign restricted free agent Connor Bedard this summer, the more the 2023 No. 1 pick appears to be able to ask for this summer.

Bedard, who reportedly suffered a shoulder injury earlier this week while practicing in Vancouver, has expressed his desire publicly to stay in Chicago. Still, he has to sign an extension, and other contracts around the NHL could move his value up.

On Friday, the Philadelphia Flyers offered Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, also a restricted free agent, an offer sheet worth $18 million for five seasons. It remains to be seen if the Ducks will match the Flyers’ offer or choose to part ways with Carlsson and take the next four first-round picks from Philadelphia in return.

Carlsson’s offer sheet is expected to change the calculus Chicago had for retaining Bedard. The Blackhawks figured they’d spend anywhere from $13 to $16 million per year on Bedard for an eight-year deal.

Before Friday, a cap hit between $13 million and $16 million seemed like the probable range for Bedard’s next contract, assuming he signed for the maximum length of eight years.

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Per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bedard’s representation could demand $20.8 million per season to sign with the Blackhawks.

“Now, Bedard has a data point indicating he might be worth more than $18 million per year in this fast-rising cap environment,” Pope wrote. “His agents could technically demand as much as $20.8 million.”

“(Blackhawks general manager Kyle) Davidson would counter-argue that a more reasonable salary would give him more opportunity to build a competitive team around Bedard, and Bedard’s previous comments suggest he would be amenable to that argument. But in the Wild West that is the NHL right now, it’s impossible to predict exactly where this is headed.”

Chicago already invested in keeping Bedard by trading for his friend, defender Bowen Byram, last week, which irritated many in the fan base.

It remains to be seen if Bedard will take Davidson to the cleaners or opt for a contract that will allow the Blackhawks to field a more competitive team. Bedard wants to be on a winning team, though Chicago hasn’t been proactive in building a playoff team since he was drafted in 2023.

At this point, maybe the young center would like to get paid, especially as his body is accruing injuries.

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