Blackhawks receive ominous Connor Bedard warning amid contract talks

The Chicago Blackhawks are primed for a big offseason thanks to their nice chunk of cap room and impressive draft capital. They can sign some free agents, swing some trades and bring in some more young pieces via the NHL Draft. But the most important item on the Blackhawks’ to-do list involves locking up Connor Bedard.

Bedard is hitting restricted free agency this summer, which isn’t really a huge deal. Chicago can match any offer made to the young star, and the chances of the Blackhawks not doing so are slim to none. But wouldn’t Chicago want to get something long-term done with Bedard now?

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently reported that “negotiations are ongoing” between Chicago and Bedard’s team and that the two sides are discussing all sorts of different avenues forward. More than likely, the Blackhawks will get something done with the 20-year-old.

Pagnotta added that Bedard could get anywhere from $14-16 million annually based on fresh speculation.

But is it possible that Chicago could botch this?

Chicago Blackhawks receive stern Connor Bedard warning

Again, it seems hard to imagine the Blackhawks messing things up when it comes to Bedard, but Casey McAleer has made sure to send Chicago a stern warning just in case.

“If the Blackhawks are smart, they should do what they must to get a deal with the young superstar done. If he’s already at the center of the rebuild, he should remain there as the foundational piece. Extending his tenure now before he hits free agency is not only the classy thing to do, it’s also the right thing to do. Players like Bedard don’t come across your lap every offseason,” McAleer wrote.

While Chicago has Bedard under team control for the foreseeable future regardless of what happens with the contract negotiations, the last thing the Blackhawks want to do is aggravate the former No. 1 overall pick throughout the process.

The sooner Chicago can get something done with Bedard, the better. Not only would it keep the club’s best player happy, but it would also allow the Blackhawks a clearer window into how they can spend and allot money elsewhere on the roster.

Chicago has missed the playoffs six years in a row, representing its longest drought since 1952. However, the Blackhawks have shown clear improvement over the last couple of seasons, and Bedard is the driving force behind that. They simply cannot afford to bungle this.

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