Connor Bedard, Blackhawks Agree to Massive Contract Extension Ahead of NHL Season, Details Revealed

Connor Bedard has agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team announced on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The deal makes Bedard one of the highest-paid players in the NHL by average annual value, trailing only Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson. The extension gives the Blackhawks five more years to build a playoff contender around the young star.