Blackhawks' Connor Bedard agrees to lucrative five-year contract

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard agrees to lucrative five-year contractChicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard has a contract in hand as he rehabs from shoulder surgery.The team announced on Saturday, July 18, that the 2023 No. 1 overall pick has agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract with a $15 million cap hit.That puts him third in the league behind Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, whose $18 million cap hit came via an offer sheet, and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million).Bedard, 21, has 203 points in 219 career NHL games with Chicago in three seasons from 2023-26. He set career highs last season with 30 goals, 45 assists and 75 points in 69 games.The only drawback has been injuries. He had surgery on his left shoulder on July 8 after being injured while training in Vancouver and will miss more than a month of the 2026-27 regular season. He injured his other shoulder last season and suffered a broken jaw in his rookie year.1 / 28NHL players who changed teams in the offseasonForward Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will join brother Matthews. (James Guillory, Imagn Images)"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. “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. Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”According to puckpedia.com, Bedard's contract includes five signing bonuses of $9.8 million each. Bedard wears No. 98. The contract is also front-loaded. Here are the details:The #Blackhawks signed 21 y/o F Connor Bedard to a 5 year $15M cap hit contractYr 1: $7.2M Salary, $9.8M Signing BonusYr 2: $6.2M/$9.8MYr 3: $5.2M/$9.8MYr 4: $4.2M/$9.8MYr 5: $3.2M/$9.8MFull NMC in Yr 5, deal covers 1 UFA seasonRep’d by Greg Landry @TheHockeyAgency…— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 18, 2026Follow the NHL with USA TODAYThe NHL never rests, and USA TODAY is keeping tabs on the league all year long with reporters covering every team and transaction. Follow the news on our NHL hub . Get our USA TODAY Sports newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts. NHL draft: Scouting reports on all 32 first round picksWhen does the 2026-27 NHL season begin?The schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season will officially begin on Sept. 29 with five games on opening nightNHL key dates 2026-27July 20: Arbitration hearings beginSept. 29: Opening nightDec. 18-20: 2026 NHL Global Series Germany (Blackhawks vs. Senators in Dusseldorf)Feb. 6: NHL All-Star Game at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blackhawks' Connor Bedard agrees to lucrative five-year contract