Connor Bedard Signs Entry-Level Deal With Chicago Blackhawks

It’s a happy birthday to Connor Bedard, but the gift to the Chicago Blackhawks and its fans. Reports indicate that the Blackhawks and Bedard have agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal that officially puts the generational talent on the books.

IT'S OFFICIAL 🤩 pic.twitter.com/UY9Rww58ip

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 17, 2023

It comes as no surprise and now puts the bow on the what will kick off the career of hockey’s most anticipated draft pick in several years. The three-year deal comes with a cap hit of $950,000.

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As was signing on his birthday, the expectation is that Bedard will be suited up in the iconic sweater when the Blackhawks face off against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on October 10 in Pittsburgh. By the time they make it to Chicago, Bedard will have five games under his belt for the home opener against Vegas on October 21.

Bedard enjoyed his first week in Chicago following the draft before heading home. Now he’ll be in the city for an extended stay:

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bedard said after development camp concluded.  “Getting to come here, I was happy it was kind of right away, get to the city, see everything and obviously meet all the staff, all the players and being here and see the facilities and everything. I loved it and had a lot of fun.”

Barring a bizarre turn of events, Bedard will play the first full season of his deal in 2023-24. There is nothing left for him to prove at the juniors level and he would be not be eligible to play for Rockford. Bedard is one of the few locks, not only in Chicago, but throughout the entire league of playing his first full season of the deal.

Kevin Korchinski is in a similar situation, and general manager Kyle Davidson indicated it’s what’s best for the prospect, not based simply on the deal itself.

“Again, I think I discussed it back with Lukas Reichel, when we burned his contract,” Davidson said. “We’re just going to do what the best development path dictates. If that’s playing five games, if that’s playing 25, 30, more, whatever, we’re just going to make those decisions along the way. As much as I want to be patient with players, it’s patience at the right times. And it’s just knowing what they can handle.”

All paths for Connor Bedard now are pointing straight to Chicago.