Blackhawks D Wyatt Kaiser signs extension; Connor Bedard next?

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Wyatt Kaiser and opened dialogue about a long-term contract with Connor Bedard.

Bedard said as he enters the final season of a three-year entry-level deal that he's having "pretty chill" conversations with the Blackhawks about his contract.

"It's just like a couple chats," said Bedard, 20, of the long-term contract talks with the team. "We have a good relationship. It's not something that keeps me up at night or ever really think of to be honest."

Bedard has 45 goals and 83 assists in 150 games over two seasons with Chicago.

A two-year contract extension with Kaiser has an average annual value of $1.7 million.

Kaiser, 23, recorded four goals and four assists in 57 games with the Blackhawks last season.

He has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 98 career games since Chicago drafted him in the third round in 2020.

The Blackhawks, who have not been to the playoffs since 2019-20, took the ice Thursday for their first practice of training camp.

--Field Level Media