Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard secured $75 million at just 21: How the Blackhawks superstar turned three NHL seasons into a massive payday and franchise-defining contract | NHL News
Connor Bedard’s ascent with the Chicago Blackhawks has reached a huge financial milestone after the 21-year-old forward signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension. The deal is worth $15 million per year and keeps the former No. 1 overall pick under contract through the 2030-31 NHL season.The deal comes after Bedard has led the Blackhawks in scoring all three seasons. His latest campaign had career highs of 30 goals, 45 assists and 75 points in 69 games, adding further weight to a contract that ranks him among the NHL’s highest-paid players by annual value.
Connor Bedard’s contract structure and NHL career impact
The extension is a significant raise from Connor Bedard’s entry-level contract and shows the quick rise he’s making as the centerpiece of the Chicago Blackhawks’ rebuilding project. The first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, he took on one of the franchise’s most important offensive roles.
| Contract detail | Connor Bedard |
| Team | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Contract | Five years, $75 million |
| Average annual value | $15 million |
| Contract period | 2026-27 to 2030-31 |
| Age when signed | 21 |
| Draft position | No. 1 overall, 2023 |
| 2025-26 points | 75 |
| Career NHL points | 203 |
Bedard scored 61 points in 68 games to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in his first season. He followed that campaign with two more seasons as the leading scorer for Chicago. He has scored 203 points (75 goals, 128 assists) in his first 219 regular-season games.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
| 2023-24 | 68 | 22 | 39 | 61 |
| 2024-25 | 82 | 23 | 44 | 67 |
| 2025-26 | 69 | 30 | 45 | 75 |
| Career | 219 | 75 | 128 | 203 |
The five-year term also gives the Chicago Blackhawks a defined window around their young franchise cornerstone. The deal is for the 2030-31 season, not locking Bedard to the organization for the longest possible term.
Chicago Blackhawks build future around Connor Bedard
The contract comes as the Chicago Blackhawks look to push their rebuilding process into playoff contention. The team has missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons, including all three of Connor Bedard’s first three years in the NHL. Chicago ended the 2025-26 season with a 29-39-14 record and 72 points.The Blackhawks also made moves around Bedard this off-season. Chicago acquired defenseman Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres and followed that up with a six-year, $75 million contract. The roster was also strengthened by veteran additions such as Jordan Greenway and Ian Cole, who came to play around the young core.But Bedard’s return has been slowed by an injury to his left shoulder. The Chicago Blackhawks said in July that he had surgery after the injury in practice in Vancouver and is expected to return around November.Already, the next chapter has added yet another milestone. On September 15, 2026, the Chicago Blackhawks named Connor Bedard as the 37th captain in franchise history. He became the second-youngest captain in team history behind Jonathan Toews.
