Connor Bedard has signed his first NHL contract on his 18th birthday with the Chicago Blackhawks. He will get the maximum allowed under the CBA which is $950,000/year.
Bedard can earn an additional $3.5 million in performance bonuses if he hits his rookie contract targets. Right now there is no word on what numbers or awards he has to earn to get the performance bonuses.
Bedard will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season where he can then sign a long-term deal with the Blackhawks. Or does he go the Auston Matthews route and sign a short term 5-year deal that will lead him to unrestricted free agency at age 25?
Connor Bedard contract breakdown
| SEASON | CAP HIT | AAV | P. BONUSES | S. BONUSES | BASE SALARY | TOTAL SALARY |
| 2023-24 | $950,000 | $4,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $95,000 | $855,000 | $950,000 |
| 2024-25 | $950,000 | $4,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $95,000 | $855,000 | $950,000 |
| 2025-26 | $950,000 | $4,450,000 | $3,500,000 | $95,000 | $855,000 | $950,000 |
| TOTAL | $2,850,000 | $13,350,000 | $10,500,000 | $285,000 | $2,565,000 | $2,850,000 |
What are NHL fans saying about the Connor Bedard contract?
It is ridiculous a blue chip can’t miss prospect can only get a $950k salary. Let’s hope he is not a bust and get’s his $12 million/year salary in a few years.
Canucks will pay him soon enough. He will be coming home. Book it!
It will be interesting to see if he will be a Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby or a Nail Yakupov or Alexis Lafreniere?
