Ben Pope wrote a terrific column for the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday about Connor Bedard emerging as the leader of the next generation of the Chicago Blackhawks. Pope’s perspective on Bedard’s next contract is in line with what I’ve been thinking for some time now:
In fact, he’s proving to be so good that the negotiations might not end up centered on his performance and upside at all. Instead, his and the Hawks’ camps might find themselves determining what cap hit both sides agree would give the team enough remaining space and flexibility to assemble a contending roster around him.
We’ve chatted a number of times already this season about the Blackhawks’ need to get to the salary floor, and how that could be challenging. Coupling the coming additions to the NHL roster on entry-level contracts with there not being many dead weight contracts (like Shea Weber) out there to acquire to eat cap space and free agency in general just not presenting many options to spend bigger money, the remedy simply might be a long-term deal for Bedard at a higher AAV projecting him continuing to ascend into the elite tier of NHL stars and the cap going up around that number.
I’m with Ben on this one. There really shouldn’t be much concern about what Bedard’s next AAV is when the contract is signed. He’s earning it now and appears to be ready to make good on the hype the preceded him into the NHL.
It's clear now: Connor Bedard will be a championship-caliber centerpiece for the Blackhawks.He's proving his immeasurable value every night this season. No matter the price tag on his next contract, it will be worth it.New column: t.co/mZE7tJZZxe
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 3, 2025 Pope also noted on Wednesday morning that Bedard’s insane goal in the third period came at the end of a 1:27 shift. Another element that made him pulling off that move against Shea Theodore, one of the better defensemen in the entire NHL, simply amazing. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was on the “Frankly Hockey” podcase with Frank Seravalli this week and talked about a number of topics, including Bedard’s season, Anton Frondell‘s development, the Blackhawks’ two young right-handed defensemen and the first-year head coach Jeff Blashill is doing. Solid 12 minutes here. Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov had a nice three-point outing on Wednesday, scoring his KHL-leading 22nd goal and adding two assists. He now has 38 points (22 goals, 16 assists) in 33 games. Here’s the goal:Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov had another goal and two assists in the KHL today. That gives him 22 goals and 16 assists in 33 games.Here's the goal: pic.twitter.com/rxNvCCEwPy
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) December 3, 2025 From Elite Prospects, here are the top 20 KHL seasons by players under 24 sorted by point-per-game average. You’ll recognize a few of the names on this list: Kantserov was understandably named the center on the KHL’s November All-Star team. Dylan Griffing at Elite Prospects wrote a nice stock watch piece looking at prospects in eastern Europe, and Kantserov was the lead name. Here’s what Griffing wrote about Kantserov:As of December 1, Roman Kantserov is on pace to score 45 goals this KHL season. That would be the third highest single-season total in the league’s history, behind just Joshua Leivo (49) and Sergei Mozyakin (48).
This season, he made the full-time switch to centre and immediately found a home on Magnitogorsk’s top line. Currently the third top scorer in the league, Kantserov has been undeniably one of the best players outside of the NHL this year. His move to centre wasn’t seamless, but as the season has progressed, he has taken steps in the right direction with adjusting positioning on transitions, assisting defensively, and conducting plays through the middle of the ice. His goal-scoring instincts have increased monumentally to maximize a quick, powerful release while still maintaining his threat as a playmaker with quick hands and even quicker processing speed.
With his contract expiring at the end of this season, it would be expected for Chicago to be chomping at the bit of bringing their former second-round pick over in the summer.
Roman Kantserov is on pace to score 45 goals this season @GriffingDylan examines the #Blackhawks prospect's torrid scoring pace and more in this month's Eastern Europe Stock Watch : t.co/DhW6Kyh5ZW pic.twitter.com/Qrs6Iaja3C
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) December 3, 2025 Blackhawks prospect and UMass freshman forward Václav Nestrašil was named to Czechia’s preliminary roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship. He should be a big player for that team (pun intended). I noted this on Twitter during the Vegas game on Tuesday night but I’ve received a few replies and emails since then, so I’ll comment on it again here. During the first intermission, John Buccigross mistakenly said the pick the Blackhawks are receiving from the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is top-ten protected. It is not. Once the 2025 NHL Draft began and the Panthers still owned their pick in 2026, it became property of the Blackhawks. There is no lottery/top-ten/top-five protection on that pick. Tough new for the Dallas Stars here. They’re losing Tyler Seguin to another long-term injury.Tyler Seguin has an ACL injury and is out long term.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) December 3, 2025 A reminder: I will be at Barbara’s Bookstore in Macy’s on beautiful State Street in downtown Chicago between 6-8 PM tonight signing copies of the two books I have published this year.BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
Matthew Boyd will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic! D’Andre Swift was named the FedEx Air and Ground Player of the WeekHence then, the article about bedard s money kantserov hype nestrasil s wjc invite falling stars and other blackhawks bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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