Blackhawks have opportunity they can't miss to take care of major business

The NHL is now officially on pause due to the Olympics. Dozens of NHLers will represent their native countries in the much-anticipated best-on-best tourney. If last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off was an indication, this year’s Olympics should be a doozie.

Meanwhile, the players that won’t participate in Milano-Cortina will have an opportunity to get some much-needed rest. The grind of the condensed schedule has just about decimated every team, leaving players pushing through pain and injuries.

While the break will give players and teams a chance to rest, the break will also provide an opportunity for clubs to take care of crucial business.

And there’s one major issue on the Blackhawks’ docket: Extending Connor Bedard. Bedard entered this season without an extension in place. The thought was seeing how the year played out and making a judgment call based on how it went.

Well, there’s really not much to think about now. Bedard, shoulder injury notwithstanding, has had a fantastic season. Heading into the Olympics, Bedard has 23 goals and 53 points in 44 games. It’s safe to assume that his totals would be on par with Macklin Celebrini’s had it not been for the downtime in December and January.

That much aside, it’s clear that the Blackhawks must extend Bedard now, during the Olympics, when distractions are at a minimum. Both parties have the chance to calmly assess the situation and come up with a number that makes sense for everyone.

What that precise number and term could look like is another story. This conversation does not intend to project what a contract extension for Bedard could be. The point here is that the NHL’s current hiatus is the perfect chance to extend Bedard and get that crucial piece of business behind everyone.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that failing to capitalize on this opportunity could lead to a complicated scenario down the road. The Blackhawks will have to contend with the trade deadline and the 2026 NHL Draft. 

At that point, addressing Bedard’s extension would get pushed into the summer. Perhaps a deal could work out then. But why risk dragging things out longer when it could well be solved now? So, it could be a matter of time before Blackhawks fans get wonderful news about Bedard signing an extension.