Connor Bedard Advised to Delay Extension with Blackhawks

CHICAGO, Ill. — Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks‘ rookie center, is being advised to postpone any long-term contract extension as he becomes eligible to sign starting July 1. NHL analyst Craig Button believes delaying the deal would benefit Bedard, considering the team’s current struggles.

During a recent appearance on the “Donnie & Dhali” show, Button expressed his reservations about Bedard rushing into an extension. “The Chicago Blackhawks are awful. If I was Bedard’s agent, I wouldn’t sign him to any extension. There’s no benefit to signing early. He’ll make the same money if he waits until next July,” said Button.

Bedard has led the Blackhawks this season with 56 points through 71 games, following his impressive Calder Trophy-winning performance last year, when he tallied 61 points in 68 games. However, the team’s situation is grim, currently sitting last in the Central Division with a record of 21-41-9, and they have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Button emphasized that the Blackhawks must prove their capability of building a competitive team around Bedard before he commits long-term. “Bedard needs evidence from the Chicago Blackhawks that a long-term deal is worth it. Right now, there is nothing in Chicago that makes you think staying is beneficial,” he explained.

Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman echoed Button’s thoughts, suggesting that Bedard might want to wait for the next collective bargaining agreement to be negotiated before making any decisions. “Why would anyone sign before that? Just to see maybe if anything changes?” Friedman noted. “If you get an idea that the rules aren’t going to change, then you don’t do it. But I did have someone say to me that for a star, for one of the top players — and Bedard is the franchise player in Chicago — you might wait to see if any rules change.”

A potential new collective bargaining agreement could alter offer sheet dynamics and salary structures, placing the Blackhawks in a challenging position if other teams pursue their rising star with offers.