On Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks locked up their franchise player, Connor Bedard, to a five-year, $15 million AAV contract, but the deal has social media torn, with several noteworthy reactions.
The Chicago Blackhawks locked up their star center, Connor Bedard, to a five-year contract, the team announced on Saturday. This was a big extension for the Blackhawks as they retain their franchise player, while Bedard earns a massive pay raise with a $15-million cap hit.
The 21-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, has become the third-highest-paid player in the NHL in terms of salary cap hit with this contract. Only Kirill Kaprizov's $17 million annual average value and Leo Carlsson's $18 million AAV are above Bedard.
With a key piece of business complete by Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, fans of Chicago across social media are relatively pleased by the deal. Here's what fans have said on the social media platform X.
"I WOULD PEEL MY SKIN OFF FOR CONNOR BEDARD," @calesbians posted.
"chicago loves 98. 98 loves chicago," @nhlkrystal said.
"I JUST DID A BACKFLIP," @bedsyuri reacted.
"Not an overpay, not an underpay. With how fast the salary cap is going up, this cap hit will look small in no time. Good work from Kyle Davidson," @zoltanxvamos wrote.
"the new nhl is fun," @AU5T0N posted.
Several couldn't help but notice that the length of the contract allows Bedard to become a UFA when the deal expires through the 2030-31 campaign. He'll be a 25-year-old free to contemplate a move to another team, especially if the Blackhawks don't progress as a true playoff team.
"Glad he’s back but it sucks that he’s getting walked straight to UFA," @WallMaz35 posted
"Not getting Bedard for 8-years is another mistake by GM Kyle Davidson," @ProducerDrew_ said.
"Really tough not getting more years there," @AATJerseyBlog wrote.
Others couldn't help but draw lines for Bedard potentially joining his hometown Vancouver Canucks when his contract ends.
"5 years is perfect, once its up Canucks prob on the upswing, LETS GO,"@BuresFlow reacted.
"Oh man him becoming a canuck in 5 years has never become more real," @OmegaFan2023 wrote.
"Walked straight into UFA ! Welcome to Vancouver in 5 yrs !!" @carlthegrinder posted.
"Perfect UFA at 26 years old to sign with the canucks," @thomasw1020 said.
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