“He’s a minimum $10 million guy”: Connor Bedard’s next contract could redefine the NHL’s young star market amid rising cap era

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard is quietly heading toward one of the most fascinating contract negotiations in recent NHL history. As the 20-year-old enters the final year of his entry-level deal, insiders believe his next contract could reshape how young stars are valued in a rapidly expanding salary cap environment.Connor Bedard’s current deal carries a modest $950,000 cap hit, a bargain for the player who became the face of Chicago’s rebuild the moment he was drafted first overall. While his sophomore campaign didn’t produce the offensive explosion many fans expected, analysts insist he’s still progressing at a steady and promising pace.On Daily Faceoff Live, analyst Jeff Marek predicted that Bedard’s next deal could reach blockbuster levels. “He’s a minimum $10 million guy, right? $10 million, eight-year deal,” Marek said, suggesting the young center could earn anywhere between $10 million and $13.5 million per season. “He’s not a top-five scorer. He’s not a shoo-in for the Olympic team. But it’s good and steady progress from Connor Bedard on a team that’s built not to have success and is building very slowly here.”That measured optimism reflects how much the league’s economic landscape has shifted. As cap space grows and more elite players lock into long-term extensions, Bedard’s timing could make him one of the most valuable restricted free agents in the NHL.The NHL’s projected salary cap increase to around $107 million could create a unique situation — one where teams have money to spend but few franchise players available. “Are we going to walk into a situation where everybody’s got cap space and there’s no one to spend it on?” Marek mused.Also Read: Connor Bedard is proving he’s not the next Gretzky — he’s building a new definition of Canadian hockey greatnessThat scenario could push Bedard’s price tag even higher, especially if he posts a breakout season in 2025–26. For a rebuilding Blackhawks team counting on him as its future cornerstone, the question isn’t whether they’ll pay him, but how much history they’ll make when they do.