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The Blackhawks aren't good enough to lowball Connor Bedard

Usually, franchise stars take pay cuts to establish a contending team with promising young guys who have performed throughout the season. The Blackhawks have not done anything close.
ByJeremiah Lee|
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Apr 6, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Apr 6, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Reports are out regarding Connor Bedard's contract talks with the Chicago Blackhawks front office, and things are not looking too good. As far as I know, they are ways away from each other regarding the duration and/or the salary, either a more expensive eight-year term or a cheaper 4-5 year term. Essentially, the Blackhawks are reported to be lowballing Bedard, something they cannot afford to do.

If the team was on the obvious up, coming off a surprise run to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I could see the reason behind the Blackhawks wanting Bedard to take a pay cut. However, Bedard has been a one-man show the last three seasons, the only reason why most watch the Blackhawks. The highest point totals despite taking on the best defensemen in the league by over 20 points or so, he's on the ice more than anyone else, and the Blackhawks have done nothing to give him any confidence in their long-term success.

Let's consider the Colorado Avalanche. Following Nathan MacKinnon's bridge deal, he took 12.6 million in order to construct a winning roster that has already proved they could win. Cale Makar took a 9 million bridge deal when he easily could have gotten more, but the Avs have displayed an ability to win the Stanley Cup, and that was what they would be aiming for: Taking less money to construct a better roster.

The Blackhawks are not the team you take a chance on

The Blackhawks are not there; they are not ahead of schedule, they are way behind schedule. Bedard should have been playing meaningful games by now, but the Blackhawks have just waited the last three years and accepted being the NHL's basement mainstay. The Columbus Blue Jackets almost made the playoffs, the Anaheim Ducks made the second round, and the San Jose Sharks are playoff contenders this upcoming season. All three were rebuilding at the same time as the Blackhawks.

The reality is that the Blackhawks may not be any better this season, marking year four of a generational prospect not making the playoffs (I hope I'm wrong). This would mark almost a decade of mediocrity or just being flat out bad. How much longer Bedard can handle losing hockey is in question, and if he is going to lose despite his best efforts, he should get paid close to 16 million. The Blackhawks cannot and should not lowball Bedard, considering this contract almost as an apology for making him play with traffic cones for three years.

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