Blackhawks, Connor Bedard Tap Brakes on Extension Talks as Camp Opens
Chicago signals confidence in a long-term agreement despite no active negotiations.
Overview
- Kyle Davidson said the team is not actively working on a new deal now and expressed zero concern about reaching a long-term agreement.
- Connor Bedard described the process as a couple of casual chats and reiterated his comfort with staying in Chicago long term.
- Bedard is in the final year of his entry-level contract after becoming extension-eligible on July 1 and would be an RFA without arbitration rights next summer if unsigned.
- Through 150 NHL games, Bedard has 45 goals and 83 assists for 128 points, underscoring his status as the franchise centerpiece.
- Recent long-term extensions for Jack Hughes, Owen Power and Juraj Slafkovsky are viewed as market comparables, with analysts noting a McDavid-level deal is unlikely and Chicago holding ample cap space.