Connor Bedard’s contract extension discussions with the Chicago Blackhawks have been postponed following Frank Nazar’s recent seven-year agreement. Nazar signed a deal worth $6.59 million per season, beginning in 2026-27 and extending through 2032-33, which has altered the contract landscape for the Blackhawks.
Bedard, entering the final year of his entry-level contract, remains eligible for a new extension, but both he and the Blackhawks appear willing to wait until he completes this critical third season before making any decisions. This development positions Nazar’s new contract as a benchmark influencing Bedard’s upcoming negotiations.
Contract Discussions Stall as Bedard Prepares for Upcoming Season
Insider Notebook’s Frank Seravalli commented on the situation, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Bedard’s next contract. He questioned whether Nazar’s $6.6 million salary, which came after Nazar appeared to outplay Bedard recently, might lower expectations for Bedard’s extension if he was initially aiming for $9 to $10 million per year. Seravalli stressed that the timing of the contract is uncertain and that Bedard might prefer to
“play this out and see how year three goes before signing that deal,”
since neither party is rushing negotiations.
“Does this 6.6 number for Frank Nazar given that he kind of outplayed Connor Bedard, does that suppress Bedard’s next contract if he was thinking in the 9 to10 million range? If he’s going longterm, does this push that number down?,” Seravalli said.
“Hard to say because again there’s a real likelihood that Bedard is going to play this out and see how year three goes before signing that deal and there’s no rush to do it from either end. It’s going to be a really interesting conversation because Nazar has now put a number on the table.”
Bedard’s first two seasons showed promise but also some inconsistency, with 61 points in 68 games during his rookie campaign and a slight dip to 67 points over a full 82-game sophomore season. This context contributes to the cautious approach by both player and team as they prepare for future contract talks.
Analyst Shayna Goldman’s Insights on Bedard’s Contract Prospects
Shayna Goldman of The Athletic provided analysis on what Bedard’s next contract might look like, predicting a six-year offer worth approximately $10.6 million annually from the Blackhawks. However, she pointed out that the team’s limited support for Bedard has highlighted some of his weaknesses, particularly on defense.
“The Blackhawks haven’t done the best job supporting Bedard in Chicago, which has amplified some of his shortcomings,” Goldman said.
“Bedard’s defense is a weakness that has been exposed in tough minutes over the last couple of years. That could explain why his offensive impact got a little stagnant this past season.”
Goldman compared Bedard’s situation to players like Jack Eichel, who managed to succeed despite limited team support, and Clayton Keller, whose talent took more time to flourish at the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL level. She emphasized that few players present clear parallels to Bedard, which creates a level of uncertainty when estimating his contract value.
Despite these challenges, Goldman expects Bedard to receive a long-term extension, reflecting the Blackhawks’ commitment to their young talent while factoring in the complexities demonstrated in his performances so far.
Implications of the Delay on Bedard’s Future with the Blackhawks
The delay in finalizing Bedard’s contract extension underscores the Blackhawks’ cautious approach as they evaluate his development alongside other emerging players like Nazar. Nazar’s new contract has set a reference point, establishing salary expectations that could temper Bedard’s negotiations if his upcoming season does not demonstrate clear growth.
Going forward, Bedard’s performance in the coming season will likely play a critical role in shaping the dialogue around his contract, with the Blackhawks and the player both exercising patience to ensure a deal that accurately reflects his abilities and contribution to the team’s future.