Connor Bedard Urged NOT To Sign Extension With Blackhawks

5 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

Amidst the Chicago Blackhawks floundering season, it's not been lost on anyone that young phenom Connor Bedard is also having a very disappointing sophomore year. The team has failed to surround him with the pieces he needs to succeed, and now veteran observers around the league are urging Bedard NOT to sign an extension with the Blackhawks anytime soon."He's eligible to sign a contract extension this coming summer, If I was the agent I wouldn't be signing Connor Bedard to any extension.."@CraigJButton on how bad the Blackhawks are and needing to show a path forward to Connor Bedard.Full..https://t.co/B7n9tXo3g0 pic.twitter.com/gjYMR3aEyR— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) March 18, 2025TSN chief hockey scout and insider Craig Button said on the Donnie & Dhali podcast recently of Bedard, "He's eligible to sign a contract extension this coming summer. If I was the agent I wouldn't be signing Connor Bedard to any extension."There’s no benefit to signing early. He’ll make the same money if he waits until next July (2026). Plus, waiting opens him up to potential offer sheets."Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, won the Calder Trophy last season, recording 61 points in 68 games. But, although he's still only 19 years old, he hasn't progressed this year, with 56 points in 71 games, and has shown plenty of frustration on a number of occasions. Connor Bedard is LIVID in Chicago. Back-to-back games with a 10-minute misconduct. pic.twitter.com/22Df3B0n3w— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) March 16, 2025 The team's record is pretty much the same as it was last season, with no evident improvement anywhere to be seen.  “Bedard needs evidence from the Chicago Blackhawks that a long-term deal is worth it,” Button added. “Right now, there is nothing in Chicago that makes you think staying is beneficial.”Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has also suggested that Bedard is not likely to sign anytime soon, telling the crew on NHL Network Radio, "Why would you sign before the new CBA is done?"This could be a long summer in Chicago if they aren't able to do something big on the free agent market to try to satisfy Bedard that they are trying their best to make progress.Photo: © Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images...

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