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League: NHLSport: HockeyCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

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 signs five-year, $75 million contract with Blackhawks
Summary

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.

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By the Numbers
  • •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.
Latest Updates
  • 1:06 AMYahoo Sports — Connor Bedard ‘very happy’ with his Blackhawks extension — and makes a pitch for Patrick Kane
  • 3:35 AMYahoo Sports — Connor Bedard Trade Timeline Revealed in Contract Signing
  • 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
What they're saying
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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.

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CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks checked the biggest task off their offseason to-do list Saturday when Connor Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension. The deal keeps him with the team through the 2030-31 season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent. For the 21-year-old center, the extension was always meant to be. “Obviously it’s a relief and nice to get it ...

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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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