Blackhawks Make Connor Bedard The Third Highest Paid Player In The NHL With A Five-Year Contract

Jul 19, 2026

The most intriguing restricted free agent of the 2026 NHL off-season has signed a contract, as the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard have agreed to a five-year deal.

Bedard’s deal will see the Blackhawks pay him an average annual value of $15 million, making him the third-highest-paid player in the NHL behind Anaheim Ducks’ Leo Carlsson ($18 million AAV) and Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million AAV).

Bedard completed his third NHL season, scoring a career-high 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games and leading the Blackhawks in points. Prior to his shoulder injury in December, Bedard was competing with the NHL’s best players in the scoring race.

The Chicago Blackhawks have locked up their superstar, agreeing to a five-year, $75 million contract with Connor Bedard.

thehockeynews.comBlackhawks Make Connor Bedard The Third Highest Paid Player In The NHL With A Five-Year ContractThe Chicago Blackhawks have locked up their superstar, agreeing to a five-year, $75 million contract with Connor Bedard.

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