The Ottawa Senators may be exploring goaltending options, with speculation arising about their potential interest in pending UFA Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. If acquired, Skinner could command a salary around $3.25 million, bringing the Senators’ goaltending tandem cost to approximately $11.5 million. General Manager Steve Staios, who previously worked with the Oilers, is familiar with Skinner’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is set to receive a significant new contract this offseason. While the Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson is likely aiming for an eight-year agreement, Bedard, as a pending RFA, holds considerable leverage in negotiations. It’s anticipated that the Blackhawks will find it difficult to refuse any terms Bedard proposes.
There’s a possibility Bedard could seek to become the league’s highest-paid player, a request that might not be deemed unreasonable given the current market. For context, Kirill Kaprizov currently earns $17 million. However, there have been no indications that Bedard plans to ask for such a figure.
Projected analytics suggest an eight-year deal for Bedard averaging around $13.2 million annually, with market value estimates leaning towards $13.7 million. Other recent significant contracts, such as Logan Cooley’s eight-year, $10 million deal, and upcoming negotiations for players like Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli, provide further context. Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks is also eligible for an extension.
Bedard could potentially negotiate a contract where his salary represents 12 to 15 percent of the salary cap, particularly if it’s an eight-year term, which is the longest duration players can currently sign for. For example, Auston Matthews’ contracts saw him take 14.27% and then 15.06% of the cap on his most recent four-year deal. The Blackhawks might be amenable to such an arrangement, possibly even for a shorter term.
If Bedard were to sign a short-term “bridge deal” for close to $20 million, the Blackhawks would still not be considered a cap-strapped team. However, they will face future contract obligations for other emerging players, including defensemen Kevin Korchinski, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov, as well as forward Anton Frondell.
Bedard himself expressed an open approach to his contract talks, stating, “But at the end of the day, it’s just seeing what fits the team best, what fits me best and just going from there. I’m very open to however they see it and what they have to say.”