Bedard signs five-year deal with Blackhawks as shoulder surgery looms
Agent Don Meehan explained the five-year, $15 million cap-hit contract as a compromise for continuity, and confirmed Bedard will undergo shoulder surgery that could sideline him for about four months.
Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks reached a five-year agreement with an average $15 million cap hit after weeks of negotiations that began at the NHL combine in early June. Agent Don Meehan said the length of the deal reflected both parties’ desire for stability; a shorter contract would have given Bedard more control, while the team wanted a longer term to signal continuity internally and externally. Meehan added that the Hawks originally sought an even longer deal, but settled on five years as a fair compromise amid uncertainty about future salary-cap growth.
The contract was finalized shortly after a record-setting offer sheet for Ducks forward Leo Carlsson, which carried an $18 million cap hit. Meehan noted that Bedard’s camp maintained its position and ultimately signed for $3 million per year less than Carlsson’s offer. He said Bedard hopes the deal demonstrates his commitment to Chicago and confidence in the team’s direction.
Bedard also faced a left-shoulder injury sustained while skating on July 2 in Vancouver. After MRI scans by the Blackhawks’ team physician Dr. Michael Terry and a second opinion from Dr. Peter Millett in Colorado, both doctors recommended surgery. Bedard opted for the procedure, which is expected to keep him out for roughly four months. Meehan said the doctors see no long-term concerns and that the injuries appear unrelated. He emphasized Bedard’s determination to pursue an aggressive rehabilitation program and return as soon as medically cleared.