The Chicago Blackhawks made a huge splash by extending rising star Frank Nazar to a seven-year, $46.2 million deal on Thursday, per PuckPedia. Fans were justifiably excited about the news, as the club locked up one of its most talented young players at a reasonable price point.
But there’s more to this deal than meets the eye. At first glance, the extension was all about ensuring Nazar doesn’t go anywhere for the foreseeable future. As former NHLer Brian Boyle pointed out during an August 21 appearance on NHL Network, Nazar’s deal is about removing a potential offer sheet target.
On a deeper level, there’s much more to the deal. The Nazar extension allows the Blackhawks to get cost certainty moving forward. In other words, the club knows how much money it will have available to make other signings.
Most notably, the biggest contract extension looming on the horizon is Connor Bedard’s new deal.
Bedard is entering the final year of his entry-level contract. As such, the Blackhawks will need to get him extended as soon as possible. But signing Bedard before Nazar could have handcuffed how much the team could have offered Nazar.
That potential problem is no longer there. The Blackhawks made a savvy move by stating exactly how much cap space they have to sign their franchise center this season.
Blackhawks Will Be Flush with Cap Space Next Season
The Blackhawks will be flush with cap space for the 2026-27 season. According to PuckPedia, the Blackhawks will have over $63 million in cap space, even after factoring the Frank Nazar extension into the equation.
Several big-ticket contracts will be coming off the books after this season. In particular, captain Nick Foligno is slated to become a UFA. Jason Dickinson, Ilya Mikheyev, Sam Lafferty, and Connor Murphy will all come off the books, as well.
Goalie Laurent Brossoit’s deal will also expire, with presumptive starting goalie Spencer Knight becoming a UFA.
Based on that situation, the Blackhawks can afford to sign Bedard to a massive contract extension this upcoming season. Since Nazar signed for a $6.59 million cap hit, it’s safe to bet that Bedard’s extension will come in well above that number.
How much more could depend on other comparables. Nevertheless, Blackhawks fans can expect Bedard’s deal to easily clear what the club paid for Nazar.
Speculating on Bedard’s Contract Extension
Determining what Connor Bedard’s next contract could look like is no easy task. A comparable could be Connor McDavid’s extension coming out of his entry-level deal in 2018.
The Edmonton Oilers signed McDavid to an eight-year deal worth $100 million. Could that be something the Blackhawks do?
It seems somewhat unlikely, as McDavid had back-to-back 100-point seasons before signing his extension. He had won several awards while still on his ELC. So, $12.5 million per season may not be in the cards for Bedard just yet.
But Blackhawks fans shouldn’t be surprised to hear the team willing to pony up $9 to $10 million AAV. Judging from what the club was willing to pay Nazar after 56 games, it’s a possibility.
The biggest question will be term. Of course, the Blackhawks would love to lock Bedard up for eight years. But there’s no telling if that’s on his mind at the moment.
Perhaps Bedard signs a shorter deal, something like a four or five-year contract. Then, he bets that he’ll put up massive numbers and really get the dough when he’s about to become a UFA.
It’s all speculation at the moment. Still, Nazar’s extension has opened the door for Bedard’s deal to be the next shoe to fall for the Blackhawks.
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