If there’s one specific sentence from what Connor Bedard said to the media on Monday (that didn’t have to do with any potential Chicago return from Patrick Kane), it came in his answer to my question about his new contract:
“Chicago is really the only place I want to play.”
"That didn't change anything."Connor Bedard on whether Leo Carlsson's offer sheet affected his negotiations with the Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/jeyuoSn55C
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 20, 2026(I thought that was a great question…)
There’s nothing new to this, but even after signing a five-year extension to remain with the Blackhawks there are still fans (specifically in Vancouver) who think there’s some wiggle room in his commitment to the organization. Bedard talked about that commitment again, the camaraderie the young players feel in the room and the new additions to the team giving them even more confidence heading into the new season.
Here’s what Bedard specifically said about new defenseman Bowen Byram during his media availability on Monday afternoon:“He’s … going to be one of the best D-men in the league,” Bedard said. “He’s always shown that. When you play behind Cale (Makar) and (Rasmus) Dahlin, it’s not easy to take their spots. Just for him to get that opportunity to be that No. 1 and prove himself in that way, and he’s going to do it. He’s one of the most skilled players in the league. Just his motivation to prove that is unbelievable, and his excitement to be with us is great for the team.”
The guys on NHL Tonight on NHL Network talked about Bedard’s new contract last night.Five more years in Chicago for Connor Bedard! ?@TonyLuftman and @Rupper17 discuss the @NHLBlackhawks superstar inking a new deal.?: #NHLTonight on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/TK5eX70uCQ
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) July 21, 2026 Expansion has been a hot topic over the past couple years and we have some known groups that have expressed a desire to buy into the league, though 2027 feels like it would be pretty soon to add a 33rd team. Even so, Shayna Goldman and Dom Luszczyszyn at The Athletic put together a hypothetical expansion draft for the NHL in 2027. They have the Blackhawks losing Wyatt Kaiser to the new team. While expansion isn’t here yet, it’s coming. And the Blackhawks are going to have to plan to be creative when the time comes to protect some players and try their best to incent the new franchise from taking other guys they value. Brief soap box moment for me: little comments like “Toews propaganda” feel like both a cheap shot at the player and an acknowledgement of the degree to which people dismiss/deny how good those Blackhawks teams were simultaneously. Jonathan ****ing Toews was the best player in the league for a hot minute. We were so, so blessed to watch him battle with Anže Kopitar for those years in the Western Conference because they were legitimately two of the best to ever do it. It’s great they’ll go into the Hockey Hall of Fame together. And the fact that the folks who love to tell us the Blackhawks aren’t as good as fans say they are will double back and now be like “oh crap, they were really, really good” is all you really need to see.the early 2010s Toews propaganda actually turning out to have been accurate is something that I feel like many hockey fans haven't fully absorbed t.co/OKPz9iqQxZ
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 21, 2026 Please note: this is not me dumping on JFresh. They do exceptional work. I love their stuff. The comment sparked my angst for Toews/2010s Blackhawks deniers. [Steps off soapbox] Also, if someone legitimately asks “Is Toews a first ballot Hall of Famer?” they didn’t watch hockey between 2008 and 2020. Or they’re begging for engagement on social media. Or they’re an idiot. All of the above is also an option. The Columbus Blue Jackets announced center Isac Lundestrom underwent successful surgery on his Achilles tendon and will be out until November. Veteran goaltender Jack Campbell retired. Finally, (speaking of someone who couldn’t beat Toews) Hockey Canada announced their coaching staff for the 2027 World Junior Championship. Among the coaches: Ryan Getzlaf, who will make his international coaching debut.The ?? coaching staff is complete for the #WorldJuniors!Le personnel entraîneur du ?? est prêt pour le #MondialJunior!HC/EC: Misha DonskovAC/EA: Drew BannisterAC/EA: Jim HultonAC/EA: Brad LauerAC/EA: Ryan GetzlafGC/EG: Dan De Palma pic.twitter.com/WxeHuzFQFH
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) July 20, 2026BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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