Connor Bedard signs new five-year contract with Blackhawks

Connor Bedard has signed a five-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks totaling $75 million. The agreement establishes a $15 million salary-cap hit, which is lower than Leo Carlsson's $18 million hit. While the Blackhawks sought an eight-year maximum-length deal, they settled on this bridge contract. Consequently, the 21-year-old center is now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2031, potentially securing a gargantuan payday following the conclusion of this current term.