The Chicago Blackhawks are hinging the team's development around center Connor Bedard, but the two sides have not come to an agreement regarding a contract extension quite yet. That isn't cause for concern at this point, but GM Kyle Davidson has a long to-do list when it comes to convincing Bedard of the team's potential for success.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli shared his thoughts on a recent B/R Open Ice podcast, where he brought up two factors that might affect the Bedard extension: one is the recent re-signing of Frank Nazar, and the other is how Bedard's third year in the NHL goes.
For starters, 21-year-old Nazar signed a seven year, $6.6 million AAV contract, which is an inflated number according to some given that he played just 52 games this past season. The question is, as Seravalli poses, does that make Bedard's next salary trend downward?
Sports Illustrated has estimated that Bedard could command a long-term contract similar to that of Brady Tkachuk or Wyatt Johnston, who earn $8.2 million and $8.4 million per year, respectively. On a mid-term bridge deal, that figure could increase to $9 million over the next five years. That would leave him hitting free agency at age 25 with a more accurate picture of his potential where he can then sign a maximum-length contract.
"There's a real likelihood that Bedard is going to play this out and see how year three goes before signing that deal; there's no rush to do it from either end."Insider Frank Seravalli on B/R Open Ice
The other factor is whether Bedard will continue to build on his first two NHL seasons which were certainly successful, but have left him with more to prove. Bedard is far and away the best player on the Blackhawks, but some critics argue that he has not lived up to the hype of a former first overall pick.
In his first full NHL season after being hampered by injury during his rookie year, the 20-year-old posted 23 goals and led the team with 67 points. Considering the Blackhawks ranked 26th in the NHL with 2.73 goals per game, that's a pretty solid total and one that he will surely continue to build on as he progresses.
It's far too early to make sweeping statements about Bedard's future in the NHL, and he has shown flashes of brilliance in his career thus far. He has the potential to be a franchise forward for the Blackhawks, and now, it's all about bringing talent on board that will accentuate his strengths.
What do the Blackhawks need to do to retain Bedard?
Chicago has already been attempting to re-build the roster from the bottom up for several years now; it's been five seasons since the Hawks last skated in a playoff matchup. Since Davidson came on board as GM in 2021, he has committed to developing the youth of the team as opposed to bringing in big-name talent.
However, now might be the best time to make a splash via trade in order to bring in more viable linemates for Bedard and build out the middle of the roster more. Davidson needs to show Bedard his willingness to shape the team around its top center.
There is a pretty clear dichotomy on the Blackhawks roster right now. There's the young prospects gaining NHL experience, and the veterans providing much-needed consistency and leadership. That gap needs to be bridged with more star power -- an established NHLer who can contribute offensively and on both sides of the puck. Ryan Donato has effectively filled that role so far, leading the team in goals with 31 at the age of 29, but he is not the type of player who comes to mind when the word "star" is brought up.
But taking a look at skaters on the trade block, perhaps someone whose contract is expiring next summer, would be a perfect place to start. Kyle Connor is in the final year of his deal and could be exactly the type of player that Davidson should consider targeting: creative, responsible, and reliable when it comes to crafting and also finishing plays.
Whether or not Connor is actually on the market is yet to be seen, but it would take someone of that caliber who is capable of producing an elite level of offense to bring out the best in Bedard and lift the team back into being more competitive again.