Welcome to NHL Rumours! September starts next week. NHL training camp and the preseason will start. Before we know it, NHL hockey will be back. Until then, rumours continue to surface and Last Word On Hockey continues to cover them. Today’s rumour looks at the Chicago Blackhawks and their plans on extending one of their key players.
NHL Rumours
Blackhawks and Bedard: Extension Talk
Rumour: According to Frank Seravalli, an insider with Daily Faceoff, believes Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks are willing to see how the 2025-26 season plays out before talking about an extension.
Frank Seravalli: Re Connor Bedard extension: I think both sides seem pretty content in sitting back and waiting to see how this…third year plays out – Bleacher Report (8/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 24, 2025
Analysis: The first-overall pick from 2023 is entering his third year in the league and the final year of his rookie contract. After two strong seasons, including a Calder Trophy during his rookie season, Bedard is due for an extension. One would think the Blackhawks would want to extend their star soon, but they are apparently content with waiting out the third season, as is Bedard. Is there more to this than meets the eye? Or do both sides see value in waiting?
The Case to Extend Him Now
The Blackhawks are in a rebuild, but Bedard is their key piece for the future. He is the player the team is building around. He is already the face of the franchise. With the days of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane long gone , Bedard the player the Hawks hope can bring the Stanley Cup back to Chicago.
With so much hope and expectations surrounding their talented forward, why not sign him now? Doing it now helps ensure Bedard is part of the team’s core for years to come. By buying out his restricted free agency seasons, the Blackhawks can also avoid the risk of a team tendering an offer sheet to Bedard.
Furthermore, an extension now may save the Blackhawks’ money in the long run. As Bedard continues to grow as a player, his production may exceed the money he earns in a contract. Similar to what the St. Louis Blues have done with Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou , an early extension could save money down the road.
The Case to Wait
It makes all the sense in the world for the Blackhawks to extend Bedard now. Why agree to wait until this season is over?
Well, there are some reasons to wait. For starters, Bedard’s rights are still retained by the Hawks. While an offer sheet is always a possibility, that is still something that does not happen every off-season in the NHL. At 20 years old, Bedard still has quite a few seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Why break the bank now when you can wait a season or two and do it? By then, the Blackhawks will have a better idea of where they are in the rebuild. They will have a better idea of how they want to construct their roster and how to invest in Bedard.
Now, we address the elephant in the room. What if Bedard is a bust? What if these two strong seasons he has are the best he has in the NHL? Of course, 60+ point seasons carry a lot of value in the NHL, but Bedard is a player with 60+ goal potential, as we saw in his college days. In two seasons, Bedard has showcased his skill, but he has also not “stolen the show” so to speak. The Blackhawks may see the value in waiting another season or two to see what Bedard’s ceiling. Is he showing signs of progression, recession, or staying the same? All three impact his price tag.
Bedard’s Point of View
For Bedard himself, it makes all the sense in the world to wait. If he can continue to progress, that will only increase his price tag. Furthermore, it will likely only take one really good season to make the Blackhawks open their checkbook. The Blackhawks have a strong hockey history and have never been afraid to invest in a core player. For Bedard, waiting now may only give me some more money down the road.
Is it a risk? Of course. There is risk on both sides. Bedard could be on his way to a higher payday and the Blackhawks may be on their way to saving some money. We will not know though until the games are played.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
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