Connor Bedard gets honest about his future with Chicago Blackhawks despite disappointing season

Connor Bedard has stayed steady in his approach as the Chicago Blackhawks finished another tough season. With a record of 25-46-11, the team ended at the bottom of the Central Division. Still, Bedard continues to grow and understands his role in the team’s rebuild.

Over two NHL seasons, Bedard has played 150 games and scored 128 points. In 2024–25, he had 23 goals and 44 assists. While his numbers improved, the Blackhawks missed the playoffs again; the team allowed 3.56 goals per game and didn’t score enough to compete.

Through it all, Bedard has remained positive. In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, he spoke about his future with the team.

“You talk here and there,” he said. “It’s all been positive. There’s a good relationship there, so that will get done when it gets done."

Bedard is currently on a three-year contract he signed in July 2023. The deal has a $950,000 cap hit and ends after the 2025–26 season. With one year remaining after this, both Bedard and the team seem comfortable with where things stand.

In April, Bedard also spoke about the team’s absence from the playoffs.

“Everyone wants to be in the playoffs,” he said, via The Athletic. “That sucks, but in a way you can take a lot of time to improve.”

He pointed out that the long offseason gives younger players time to develop their skills. Bedard also made it clear how much the city and fans mean to him.

“We have such a great fan base and organization, and they’ve been the reason I’ve got to live out my dream so far for two years,” he said. “If we all show that appreciation, then it creates a better bond for everyone.”

Connor Bedard clears the air on Blackhawks contract talks

Back on April 17, in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Connor Bedard shared his thoughts on his contract future.

“I love it here,” Bedard said. “I have a great relationship with Kyle and everyone.”

He said he’s not worried and expects things to work out.

“I know I want to be here for a long time,” he added.

Connor Bedard also said outside talk doesn’t reflect how he feels. He trusts the team’s direction and is focused on the rebuild. That rebuild aims to see the Blackhawks make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season, in which they lost in the first round to the Vegas Golden Knights.

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Edited by John Maxwell