Blackhawks ready to take next steps as Bedard contract looms — The Fourth Period

Connor Bedard is itching to compete and itching to win, and the Chicago Blackhawks are aware it is time to start taking the next steps in the clubs rebuild.

The Blackhawks finished second-last in the NHL this season, a year in which the players thought they might compete for a playoff spot.

While the team fell short of their goals, GM Kyle Davidson believes this off-season will be an active one for him and his staff.

“The players are very motivated to make sure that we’re pushing for the playoffs next year,” Davidson said, as quoted by NHL.com. “I think that’s realistically something, a goal we believe they should come into training camp trying to achieve.

“Now, it’s something that would require a major step forward, but the group is motivated and talented enough that we feel it’s not unrealistic to expect that. So, we need to take another step forward. We took a nice one this year, but the League doesn’t wait around for anyone, and so young players have to continue that development and translate that to more wins on the ice.”

The Blackhawks have more than $40.2 million in salary cap space going into next season and while a good chunk of that will be allotted for Bedard, Davidson has plenty of wiggle room to add to his roster this off-season.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta recently reported on DFO Live, the Blackhawks are expected to pursue some offensive wingers this summer, either via free agency or the trade market.

With Bedard and Anton Frondell up the middle, the team wants to find the right complimentary pieces that will not only lead to individual success, but overall team success.

“I want to win here for as long as I’m playing,” Bedard said. “At the end of the day, I have so much faith in the management, the coaching and also our players. We get to see each other every day, how we approach the game, how guys practice, how much skill there is. I would go to bat for any single guy in that room and argue they’re going to reach their full potential because of the mindset and work ethic we have in our group.”

Bedard, 20, will see his entry-level contract expire at the end of June, upon which he will be eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1. He indicated he has not thought about what type of deal he wants next – short-term versus long-term – and Davidson understands how important locking up his young star is.

“It’s certainly a big piece on our checklist that we need to cross off and so we’ll get to that in short order, hopefully,” Davidson said. “He’s so important to our team, he took such a big step forward this year in every facet, and so that’s certainly an important one to cross off the list.”

In 69 games with the Blackhawks this season, Bedard registered 30 goals and 45 assists for 75 points – all career highs.