LAS VEGAS — The Blackhawks’ contract negotiations with Connor Bedard next summer are becoming pricier and simpler with every passing day.
Bedard’s overnight leap into one of the NHL’s best players at age 20 presumably has increased his asking price from a lot to a ton of money. Given the skyrocketing salary cap, he might have a valid argument for $15 million per year on a maximum eight-year deal.
But having one of the best players in the league on the cusp of his prime is a great — no, absolutely fantastic — position for the Hawks to be in. No matter the price tag, it’s worth it. Many other franchises would switch places with them in a heartbeat.
In fact, Bedard is proving to be so good that the negotiations might not end up centered on his performance and upside at all. Instead, the parties might find themselves determining what cap hit both sides agree would give the Hawks enough remaining space and flexibility to assemble a contending roster around him.
Because there’s no doubt anymore that Bedard is a championship-caliber centerpiece.
Even in hockey, a star like that can make the difference between a team like the Hurricanes — a strong, deep club that hasn’t gone the distance in the playoffs — and one like the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
Without Bedard, the fate of the Hawks’ rebuild would look uncertain. With him, it seems likely to succeed. He gives the Hawks a potentially game-breaking player who strikes fear into every opponent, every night, every shift.
His draft pedigree and fame already made him a spotlight player the last two years, but his dominance this season is justifying that spotlight.
When Bedard raced into the neutral zone during the third period Tuesday, he was nearing the end of an 87-second shift with teammates joining him on the rush and the Golden Knights’ best defenseman, Shea Theodore, between him and the goal. In that situation, 95% of players would dump the puck in.
Yet the Vegas crowd buzzed with anticipation, sensing what was possible because of who was carrying the puck. And Bedard delivered, going inside-out on Theodore to create space for a shot, then sniping the puck into the top corner of the net.
We’re watching a truly special season unfold for Connor Bedard, night after night after nightpic.twitter.com/RLgTL2BD6I
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 3, 2025
It was his 17th goal and 38th point — many of which have been instant highlights — in 26 games.
That puts him on pace for 54 goals and 120 points, the latter number representing a threshold only Denis Savard has eclipsed in Hawks history. It’s unlikely Bedard can maintain quite that pace, but he’s blazing toward at least becoming the sixth Hawks player to notch 100 points (joining Savard, Jeremy Roenick, Patrick Kane, Bobby Hull and Steve Larmer).
The fact Bedard is reaching these heights at this age, with this incomplete a supporting class, is remarkable. He’s marching through a truly special season.
Plus, it’s not just offensively where he has taken a massive leap. His faceoff percentage has surged from 38.3% last season to 49.0%. Defensively, he’s learning how to use his natural skills, such as his quick hands and vision, to force turnovers and relieve pressure.
His work ethic and dedication to winning habits have strengthened, as head coach Jeff Blashill constantly points out. Six minutes after his go-ahead goal, Bedard was hustling inside his own zone, winning a battle against Mark Stone and flipping the puck to safety.
The Hawks still ended up losing in a shootout, despite a filthy shootout goal by Bedard. Because of bad luck and subpar execution in close games this season, his dominance hasn’t yielded as many victories as it could have for the 11-9-6 Hawks.
In the long term, however, Bedard clearly is going to bring many, many victories to Chicago, especially once the roster is fleshed out. That feels inevitable now.