His AAV sits just behind Anaheim Ducks' Leo Carlsson's $18 million and Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov's $17 million.

Bedard's $15 million average annual value surpasses that of new teammate Bowen Byram, who also signed a $75 million deal with the Blackhawks, but for six years at a $12.5 million AAV.

Bedard, 23, is coming off his first 30-goal season with a career-high 45 assists in 69 games. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft has become a cornerstone of the Blackhawks' rebuild as the team has now gone six straight seasons without reaching 30 wins.

Bedard won the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) for the 2023-2024 season after posting 22 goals and 39 assists through 68 games, followed by a 23-44 season playing in all 82 games.

He holds the Blackhawks record for goals, assists, and points for any player under 21, while also holding the franchise record for most game-winning goals by a player 20 or younger.

Chicago finished last season with a 29-39-14 record, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season.