Celebrini and Bedard 2026 Deals Set Salary Benchmarks

David Pagnotta stated on NHL Network that Connor Bedard could reach 15 million dollars or more per season in a full-term extension while Chicago initially hovers near 10 million.

Early Extension Window for Celebrini

Macklin Celebrini becomes extension-eligible on July 1 after posting an MVP-caliber sophomore season. His three-year entry-level contract carries a 975000 dollar cap hit through 2026-27. San Jose holds one additional year of control before restricted free agency in 2027. General manager Mike Grier has signaled openness to a summer deal without urgency.

Pagnotta noted that the Sharks will monitor comparables closely. Celebrini leads Canada at the 2026 World Championship and sits atop multiple award ballots. The team projects him as a future Hart Trophy candidate whose production already exceeds typical second-year totals by wide margins.

Chicago’s handling of Bedard supplies the clearest template. Early conversations between the Blackhawks and Bedard’s camp have resumed after an initial gap on dollars. Both sides recognize the outcome remains inevitable despite the early-stage posturing.

Bedard Talks Center on Term and Dollars

Connor Bedard enters the final year of his three-year 2.85 million dollar entry-level contract. Talks with Chicago restarted in recent weeks with the Blackhawks offering figures near 10 million dollars annually. Bedard’s side eyes either a long-term maximum deal or a three-to-four-year bridge.

Pagnotta projected that an eight-year pact would exceed 15 million dollars per season. A shorter three-to-four-year agreement would likely settle near 12 million dollars as the compromise range. The Blackhawks prefer the longer commitment while Bedard’s camp weighs the leverage of reaching unrestricted free agency sooner.

No panic exists on either side according to Pagnotta. Both organizations understand the negotiation dance forms part of every major deal. The final structure will influence how other teams value the next wave of young stars.

Market Implications for Future RFAs

Celebrini’s camp will reference Bedard’s final number when July 1 arrives. A 12 million dollar bridge deal for Bedard sets a floor that Sharks management must exceed to retain their franchise cornerstone. Longer commitments at 15 million dollars or higher would accelerate salary inflation across the league.

The 2026-27 cap environment already supports such figures given rising revenues. Teams without established stars face steeper competition for remaining cap space once these two deals land. Historical precedents show that the first two or three maximum contracts after a salary-cap reset permanently shift the market upward.

Pagnotta emphasized that monitoring remains the prudent approach rather than immediate action. The outcome of Bedard’s negotiations will provide the decisive data point for Celebrini’s eventual extension.