Connor Bedard Signs $75 Million Deal, Becomes NHL’s Third-Highest Paid Player

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a significant investment in their future, signing star center Connor Bedard to a five-year, $75 million contract. This deal elevates Bedard to the status of the third-highest average annual salary in the NHL, a testament to his burgeoning talent and potential.

Having recently celebrated his 21st birthday on July 17, Bedard was a restricted free agent following the expiration of his initial three-year, $13.4 million entry-level deal. The Vancouver native was selected first overall by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft and has quickly become a cornerstone of the franchise.

In a remarkable start to his NHL career, Bedard has led the Blackhawks in scoring for three consecutive seasons, posting an impressive 75 points in the 2025-26 campaign alone, which includes 30 goals and 45 assists. However, despite his individual success, the Blackhawks have struggled to translate that into team victories, finishing last in the Central Division with a 29-39-14 record last season. This marked the third year in a row that Chicago has ended with one of the worst records in the league, failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2019-20 season.

Bedard’s contract comes at a time when he is recovering from shoulder surgery, which he underwent on July 8 after sustaining an injury while practicing with fellow NHL players. Despite this setback, the Blackhawks have demonstrated their commitment to Bedard, confident in his ability to return and continue his upward trajectory.

“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” said Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson during the contract announcement. He praised Bedard’s multifaceted skill set, noting, “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice.” Davidson further emphasized Bedard’s work ethic and determination, which have set a high standard for the team’s young core.

With an average annual salary of $15 million, Bedard’s new deal positions him behind only Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, who leads the league with an average of $18 million per season on his five-year, $90 million contract. Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov follows closely with $17 million per year from his eight-year, $136 million deal.

This five-year agreement ensures that Bedard will remain with the Blackhawks through the 2030-31 season, although it only covers the first year of his unrestricted free agency. By the time the contract expires, he will still be just 26 years old, leaving plenty of room for further growth and impact in the league.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.