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Connor Bedard will be eligible to sign a long-term extension with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1st, but it now appears that his large decision to stay with the organization could be altered by prominent NHL insiders who have just sent him a large warning.

Connor Bedard has now been warned by both two prominent insiders, TSNs Craig Button and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, advising the former first overall pick of 2023 to wait before signing with the Blackhawks for a long-period of time.

The two renowned insiders suggest that the 19-year old and his agent, Gregory Landry, should be taking advantage of the leverage in their hands as a future restricted free agent.

During Button’s appearance on the Donnie and Dhali show, he agruged that Bedard has zero reasoning to rush into signing an extension with the Blackhawks. Stating that Kyle Davidson, the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, has not given the generational talent a sign that’s worth committing to yet.

Bedard would reportedly be best to wait before signing his extension, which can be until 2026 when his entry level contract expires.

But if the Blackhawks can’t secure Bedard this off-season and he does take the year to wait, he would be eligible to be offer sheeted from opposing teams.

Arguably being the biggest name in NHL history for a playoff available to offer-sheet.

«The Chicago Blackhawks are awful. If I was Bedard’s agent, I wouldn’t sign him to any extension. There’s no benefit to signing early. He’ll make the same money if he waits until next July. Plus, waiting opens him up to potential offer sheets.»

Friedman also chimed in, stating that it’s quite possible we will witness Bedard hold off on re-signing with the Blackhawks this summer.

«Why would anyone sign before that? Just to see maybe if anything changes? Now, if you get an idea that the rules aren’t going to change, then you don’t do it. But I did have someone say to me (that) for a star, for one of the top players-and Bedard is the franchise player in Chicago-you might wait to see if any rules change.»

«Bedard needs evidence from the Chicago Blackhawks that a long-term deal is worth it,» Button said. «Right now, there is nothing in Chicago that makes you think staying is beneficial.»

Let’s see where this goes for Bedard and the Blackhawks, but with the current trends it appears his days in Chicago are numbered.