Connor Bedard signs five-year, $75 million contract with Blackhawks
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 9:11 PM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Connor Bedard has signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks while recovering from shoulder surgery. The Blackhawks confirmed the deal on July 18, marking a significant move in their offseason as Bedard prepares for a recovery that could delay his start to the upcoming season. The 21-year-old forward, who recently turned 21, had surgery on July 8 after sustaining an injury during training. Bedard's contract positions him as the third-highest-paid player in the NHL by average annual value, with his $15 million cap hit following only Leo Carlsson and Kirill Kaprizov. Chicago has been focused on rebuilding, finishing last in the Central Division in recent seasons, and Bedard's performance will be essential for their future success.
- •Connor Bedard's contract carries a $15 million cap hit.
- •Bedard set career highs with 30 goals and 45 assists last season.
- •He will miss the start of the 2026-27 season due to shoulder surgery.
- •The Blackhawks have not made the playoffs since 2020.
- •Bedard became the youngest player in franchise history to reach 200 career points.
- 12:16 AMYahoo Sports — Blackhawks Extend Star Center Connor Bedard
- 11:56 PMYahoo Sports — Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard agrees to a $75 million, five-year contract
- 11:35 PMYahoo Sports — Blackhawks make Connor Bedard NHL's third-highest paid player in average annual salary with 5-year, $75 million deal
- 11:00 PMESPN — Blackhawks, Bedard agree to 5-year, $75M deal
- 10:21 PMYahoo Sports — Why Connor Bedard signed 5-year contract for $75 million with Blackhawks, but not longer
- 9:11 PMYahoo Sports — Blackhawks' Connor Bedard agrees to lucrative five-year contract
- 9:05 PMYahoo Sports — Connor Bedard’s $15M AAV contract makes him NHL’s third-highest-paid player
"The Chicago Blackhawks have extended star center Connor Bedard, signing him to a five-year, $75 million contract extension. The Blackhawks announced the extension on Saturday for Bedard, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks will pay Bedard $15 million per season for the next five years, […] The post Blackhawks Extend Star Center Connor Bedard appeared first on HEAVY.
"Connor Bedard has reached another milestone after signing a five-year, $75 million extension with the Chicago Blackhawks. The deal carries a $15 million average annual value, making Bedard one of the NHL‘s highest-paid players. The Blackhawks celebrated the extension on…
"Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard has agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, completing a major offseason goal for the team.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 12:16 AMBlackhawks Extend Star Center Connor Bedard
The Chicago Blackhawks have extended star center Connor Bedard, signing him to a five-year, $75 million contract extension. The Blackhawks announced the extension on Saturday for Bedard, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks will pay Bedard $15 million per season for the next five years, […] The post Blackhawks Extend Star Center Connor Bedard appeared first on HEAVY.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 11:56 PMChicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard agrees to a $75 million, five-year contract
The deal was finalized 10 days after Bedard had surgery on his left shoulder.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 11:35 PMBlackhawks make Connor Bedard NHL's third-highest paid player in average annual salary with 5-year, $75 million deal
The No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Bedard has led Chicago in scoring during each of his three NHL seasons as the Blackhawks rebuild.
- ESPNJul 18, 2026, 11:00 PMBlackhawks, Bedard agree to 5-year, $75M deal
Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard has agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, completing a major offseason goal for the team.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 10:21 PMWhy Connor Bedard signed 5-year contract for $75 million with Blackhawks, but not longer
Chicago is keeping its star around for a while.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 9:11 PMBlackhawks' Connor Bedard agrees to lucrative five-year contract
The Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract as he rehabs from shoulder surgery.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 9:05 PMConnor Bedard’s $15M AAV contract makes him NHL’s third-highest-paid player
Connor Bedard has reached another milestone after signing a five-year, $75 million extension with the Chicago Blackhawks. The deal carries a $15 million average annual value, making Bedard one of the NHL‘s highest-paid players. The Blackhawks celebrated the extension on…
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