Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Connor Bedard and is he ready to be the Blackhawks captain?
Connor Bedard is 20 years old and has made it clear he wants the captaincy job. His teammates believe he's ready for it, and he's already been serving as an alternate captain while showing leadership both on and off the ice.
What happened to the previous Blackhawks captains and leadership group?
Chicago traded away its entire leadership group in early March, including captain Nick Foligno and alternate captains Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson. The team spent the final six weeks of the season without that leadership structure, allowing new leaders like Bedard to emerge.
How did Connor Bedard perform this season with the Blackhawks?
Bedard finished with 75 points in 69 games, an eight-point improvement over last season in 13 fewer games. He was on pace for 44 points in 31 games before a December 12th shoulder injury derailed his momentum.
When will Connor Bedard's contract negotiations start as a restricted free agent?
Bedard's agent said contract talks will start in May. Bedard has stated he wants to stay in Chicago and believes they'll get a deal done soon, while GM Kyle Davidson said the team intends to be "more than fair" while preserving cap space to build around him.
Who else could be considered for Blackhawks captain besides Connor Bedard?
Alex Vlasic was mentioned as a long-shot candidate who has grown as a leader this season. However, Bedard is clearly the obvious choice and everyone in the organization knows it, with the captaincy being more a matter of when rather than if.