Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard is seeking a major new deal worth around 17 million dollars per season. The request follows Leo Carlsson’s record offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers. Reports indicate ongoing talks with the Blackhawks about the contract that would begin next season.
Leo Carlsson signed a five-year, 90 million dollar offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The deal makes the Swedish player the NHL’s highest-paid player and tops Kirill Kaprizov’s 17 million dollar annual salary with the Minnesota Wild.
Connor Bedard, also a restricted free agent, is negotiating his next contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Journalists Irfaan Gaffar and David Pagnotta reported on the DFO Rundown Insider Edition that Bedard aims for pay in line with Kaprizov.
Gaffar stated that Bedard views himself as worthy of such compensation. Pagnotta added that upcoming deals for Bedard, Carlsson and others will signal where the league’s salary market is heading.
The Blackhawks recently acquired Bowen Byram, who signed for 12.5 million dollars per season. The rising NHL salary cap is expected to support higher contracts for young stars.
