Anticipation for the prized Chicago rookie’s debut is palpable, but how much is he getting paid? Boardroom breaks down the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard contract.
If you claim to be a hockey fan, then by now, it would be impossible not to have heard of Connor Bedard, the generational prospect who is tasked with turning around the Chicago Blackhawks organization. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say there hasn’t been this much hype surrounding a prized rookie since the guy Bedard is playing against in Game 1 of his NHL career: Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby.
Dubbed “The Next One” at the time, Crosby lived up to the hype to the tune of three Stanley Cups, two Hart Trophies, and nine All-Star selections. Time will tell if Bedard, who outlets labeled as the “future of hockey” when he was just 13 years old, can live up to such lofty expectations, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting pen to paper for the entry-level deal he signed in July.
So, just how big is the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard contract at rookie scale? Boardroom breaks it down.
Connor Bedard Contract Details & Salary
All dollar figures via Spotrac.
Years: 3
Total value: $13,350,000
Average annual value: $4,450,000
Total guaranteed money: $13,350,000
2023-24 cap hit: $950,000 ($855,000 base salary + $95,000 signing bonus)
Signing bonus: $285,000 (payments made in increments of $95,000 each of the three seasons)
Restricted free agency: 2026
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The maximum cap hit an entry-level contract in the NHL can carry is $950,000, but when you break down Bedard’s contract, he has the potential to earn much more his rookie season — that $4.45 million figure, to be exact.
Within the contract, there are a number of ways in which Bedard can earn up to $3.5 million in incentives or performance-based payments. This is broken up into two categories: Type “A” performance and Type “B” performance. Let’s break it down with some help from PuckPedia.
Connor Bedard’s Bonuses & Incentives
Type “A” Performance: Worth up to a maximum of $2.5 million, in which the rookie simply needs to hit four of the below marks, each of which is worth $250,000:
- 20 goals
- 35 assists
- 60 points
- Finish in the top six in ice time among forwards (in total and/or per game) on the team (minimum 42 games)
- Finish in the top three in plus/minus among forwards on the team (minimum 42 games)
- Average 0.73 points per game (minimum 42 games)
- Qualify for the NHL All-Rookie team
- All-Star selection
- All-Star MVP
Type “B” Performance: Worth up to a maximum of $1 million, in which Bedard can earn the full amount by satisfying any of the below marks.
- Finish in the Top 10 among NHL forwards in goals, assists, points, or points-per-game (minimum 42 games played)
- Win any of the following awards: Hart, Selke, Richard, Conn Smythe
- Claim first- or second-team All-Star honors
Projecting Connor Bedard’s Career NHL Earnings
CAREER NHL EARNINGS THROUGH 2023-24 SEASON (no bonuses): $950,000
CAREER NHL EARNINGS THROUGH 2023-24 SEASON (full bonuses): $4,450,000
MAX CAREER EARNINGS THROUGH 2025-26: $13,500,000
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