Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Situation Gets Update Before NHL Free Agency

The Chicago Blackhawks are entering a pivotal offseason with their franchise centerpiece approaching a major contract decision.

Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, led Chicago with 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games last season and keeps establishing himself as the focal point of the Blackhawks ' rebuild.

Bedard is set to reach restricted free agency on July 1, marking the end of his three-year, $2.85 million entry-level deal and putting his long-term future in focus.

Despite the urgency, the latest update suggests talks have not even begun, with both sides playing a waiting game. Still, one side is more interested in starting negotiations than the other.

NHL reporter Frank Seravalli appeared on CHSN's "Breakaway Podcast" on Thursday and reported that no formal negotiations have taken place between the two sides.

"Let me say this: Don't believe everything you hear on the internet, because there was some reporting out there that (said) the Blackhawks and Bedard are a couple of million dollars apart," Seravalli said. "Then I saw a separate report that Bedard was looking for $17 million a year.

"To my knowledge, and again, this may have changed, the Blackhawks and Bedard have not even begun negotiating yet. They have not traded a single number."

Seravalli clarified that Chicago is not the reason for the delay, blaming the wait on Bedard's side of the negotiation.

"That's not on the part of the Blackhawks. They're ready to do this dance. They're prepped. It's go time," Seravalli said. "They need to wait for the other party, which is Bedard's camp, who might want to slowplay this."

Frank Seravalli: There was some reporting out there that the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard are a couple million dollars apart; this may have changed...to my knowledge, the 'Hawks and Bedard's camp have not even begun negotiating yet - Blackhawks Breakaway (6/11)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 14, 2026

However, Seravalli dismissed the speculation that Macklin Celebrin's upcoming contract extension with the San Jose Sharks could be influencing the timeline or Bedard's potential asking.

"I don't personally think that the Macklin Celebrini contract has anything at all to do with Connor Bedard's next deal," Seravalli said. "I view Celebrini as being in a completely separate category than Connor Bedard."

According to AFP Analytics, Bedard is projected to land an eight-year long-term contract worth nearly $99 million. In case he opts to sign a short-term deal, AFP projects it to be a three-year, $28.1 million contract.

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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 5:00 AM.