Chicago Blackhawks alternate captain and forward Connor Bedard is not under contract with the organization after becoming a restricted free agent (RFA) earlier this month on July 1. The Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson, reportedly offered Bedard a $10-12 million average annual value (AAV) deal to extend his stay, but their fans didn’t take too kindly to it on social media.

The Fourth Period hockey news website revealed the latest details about the contract negotiations between Bedard and the Blackhawks in their report on Saturday, July 4.

“Chicago GM Kyle Davidson is believed to have started contract talks in the $10 million to $12 million range, but that figure will surely have to increase,” read the report.

Notably, the 20-year-old is reportedly demanding $17 million AAV from the Blackhawks to continue playing for them after his three-year, entry-level contract worth $4.45 million AAV ran out on June 30. More specifically, he actually wants them to match what his counterpart, Minnesota Wild alternate captain and forward Kirill Kaprizov, has been making since last season.

Kaprizov, who is a 29-year-old, signed an eight-year, $136 million contract with the Wild on September 30, 2025, to become the highest-paid NHL player at $17 million AAV.

Moreover, the report from The Fourth Period disclosed that the Blackhawks could give Bedard his desired contract and keep him in the upcoming 2026-27 season and the foreseeable future. It’s because they currently have $29.3 million in cap space to shell out on players and bolster their roster, as of July 4.

Blackhawks fans at odds with the front office over $10-12 million offer to Connor Bedard

NHL Rumour Report in an X post shared excerpts ofThe Fourth Period’s report about the contract negotiations between the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard. When Blackhawks fans got wind of the $10-12 million number, they were fuming in the comments section of the X post.

“10-12 is a joke. The Ducks should offer sheet him and just do the 4 draft picks swap,” said a Blackhawks fan.

A couple of Chicago faithful weren’t happy with their general manager, Kyle Davidson, about the way he has handled the situation. They also wanted him to increase their current $10-12 million offer for Bedard, for all intents and purposes, or see other teams do it for him.

“Davidson is an idiot. JUST STARTED contract talks ?! They should have started a year ago ! And how do you let your FRANCHISE PLAYER practice without a contract ?! 10-12M ?! In this market ?! Someone please offer sheet Bedard for 20M,” wrote one of them.

“Bedard will not sign a 7 or 8 year deal for less than 17. Davidson is a m****. He’d only sign for 12m $ if it was a 3-4 year deal and he’d walk into UFA,” remarked another.

Blackhawks supporters also alluded to their defenseman Bowen Byram signing a six-year, $75 million contract worth $12.5 million AAV and compared it with Bedard’s negotiations.

“He's not signing or anything less than $15 per. NOT. A. CHANCE! Byram got $12.5 per...You think the A listers getting the same or close to that? Funny....You PAY the face of your franchise... Period.”

Another seconded the sentiment, adding:

“Give me a break....logic says Connor is going to get more money than Byram.”

Will Connor Bedard settle for a $10-12 million AAV offer from the Chicago Blackhawks after asking for $17 million AAV? Share your views on the entire situation in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Yash Kotak