Even if the the Blackhawks draft Connor Bedard with their 2023 No. 1 pick – and sign him – they'll need to spend about $15 million more just to reach the NHL's minimum team payroll in 2023-24. How should they do it? Here's Part One of a series with NHL free agency set to open on July 1

The Blackhawks must spend money on more than just Connor Bedard, the presumptive No .1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and other prospects this summer.

That’s not per fan wishes. It’s codified under the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the the NHL Players Association.

As of June 1, the Blackhawks had committed roughly $42 million in salary against their 2023-24 salary cap hit, covering 13 of 23 players from the 2022-23 roster. The NHL salary cap for the upcoming season is expected to be $83.5 million, with a salary floor of $62 or $63 million.

That means Chicago GM Kyle Davidson and his staff must start shopping on July 1 when NHL free agency opens to reach the minimum team payroll required under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

Assuming the Blackhawks draft and sign Bedard, the highly touted center can be paid only up to some $4.5 million in total compensation next season. Incoming players, even ones billed as a “next generational talent” are subject to two-way entry-level contracts with a $925,000 maximum yearly base salary. Signing and performances can be added, bringing the annual sum to $4.5 million.

Bedard will be eligible to renegotiate his contract after three seasons, so following 2025-26. Edmonton star and 2022-23 NHL leading scorer Connor McDavid – a player Bedard has been compared to – signed an eight-year deal with base of $12.5 million per year after his entry-level contract expired in 2017.

Beyond the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, the Blackhawks have another selection in the first round, 19th overall, acquired from Tampa Bay. Chicago has four picks in the second round of the 2023 draft (35th, 44th, 51st and 55th overall); two picks in the third round (67th and 89th overall); and single picks in the fourth (99th overall), fifth (131st overall) and seventh (195th overall) rounds

The other new draftees should barely make a dent in the payroll. That means the Blackhawks will have to spend an additional $15 million or so in 2023-24 just to reach  the salary floor.

They could spend up to an additional $35 million or so before reaching the cap. But timing is everything as Bedard and other prospects arrive, mature and improve.

Flexibility with free agents for now: Davidson

That’s why Davidson said he’ll prefers free agents who are seeking one- or two-year contracts. We'll take a look at some possibilities in the next installment.

“The flexibility in in going with shorter-term deals is something that we’re going to want to look at because of the need to keep options open for our younger players,” Davidson said in April.

Before Chicago netted the No. 1 overall pick in the May 8 draft lottery, Davidson said the team’s 2023 free agency plans wouldn’t “be all that influenced” by where the team landed in the sweepstakes.

But he added, “We’ll just have to see, as well.”

So which players from the Blackhawks 2023—24 NHL roster are signed through 2023-24?

Here's the list as of June 1 per CapFriendly.

NOTE: This doesn’t take into account younger players in entry-level, two way contracts who finished the season in the minors. Forward Lukas Reichel; defensemen Alex Vlasic, Isaak Phillips and Alec Regula; and goalie Jaxson Stauber are examples.

Goalies

Petr Mrazek, $3.8 annually, through 2023-24

Arvid Söderblom, $962,000 annually, through 2024-25.

Defensemen

Seth Jones, $9.5 million annually, through 2028-29

Connor Murphy, $4.4 million annually, through 2025-26

Nikita Zaitsev, $4.5 million annually, through 2023-24.

Jarred Tinordi, $1.25 million annually, through 2023-24. (Just signed extension in April)

Forwards

Tyler Johnson, $5 million annually, through 2023-24.

Jason Dickinson, $2.65 million annually, through 2023-24

Colin Blackwell, $1.2 million annually, through 2023-24.

Cole Guttman, $950,000 annually, through 2023-24

Mackenzie Entwistle, $800,000 annually, through 2023-24

Reese Johnson, $800,000 annually, through 2023-24.

Borris Katchouck, $758,333 annually, through 2023-24.

Taylor Raddysh, $758,333 annually. through 2023-24.

So which players from the Blackhawks 2023—24 NHL roster were restricted or unrestricted free agents as of June 1?

Here’s the list as of June 1, 2023 per CapFriendly.

Forwards, UFAs

Andreas Athanasiou, Age 28.

Jujhar Khaira. Age 28,

Jonathan Toews, Age 35, (Davidson announced in April that Toews will not return)

Forwards, RFAs

Anders Bjork, Age 26

Philipp Kurashev. Age 23

Austin Wagner, Age 25

Defensemen, UFAs

Andreas Englund, Age 27

Defenseman, RFAs

Caleb Jones, Age 25

Ian Mitchell, Age 24

Goalies, UFAs

Alex Stalock, Age 35