Connor Bedard Is About to Drop a $12.5 Million Contract, and the League Is Still Not Ready For It

Alright, hockey heads, buckle up because the rumor mill is spinning, and some of the news coming out is wild, even if it's not about our boys in green and blue. We're talking about players about to reset the market, goalies getting traded after deep playoff runs, and incredible comebacks. This isn't just chatter, this is the kind of stuff that shapes the entire league, and we’re here to break it down like we just hit the game-winning goal at Climate Pledge.

Bedard's Monster Deal Is Going to Explode the Salary Cap

Let's get right to it: Connor Bedard is about to sign a contract that's going to make jaws drop across the NHL. Yeah, there are a bunch of restricted free agents out there looking for big paydays this offseason, but trust me, nobody's hitting the jackpot like Bedard. Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic, dropping knowledge on Oilers Now, confirmed that both the Blackhawks and Bedard's camp are grinding hard to get this deal done, and it could be finalized in June. Seriously, June! Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts even hinted at a "waiting game" with other young studs like Leo Carlsson and Macklin Celebrini. Superstar contracts coming off entry-level deals usually land around the $8 million mark for long-term agreements, but the word on the street is Bedard, and some of those other guys, are going to shatter that. With the salary cap soaring, an extension north of $12.5 million is totally on the table. Think about it: Bedard put up an insane 44 points in 31 games before an injury in December, then finished the season with 75 points in 69 games! Kirill Kaprizov is sitting pretty at $17 million right now, but Bedard is likely to land somewhere between $12 million and that mark if he signs a long-term deal. That's a game-changer for every team looking at their cap sheet!

Montreal's Goalie Carousel Is Finally Stopping, But Montembeault Is Out

Shifting gears to a wild goalie situation, the Montreal Canadiens are shaking things up after a surprisingly deep playoff run. Remember, their goal was just to make the playoffs in 2025-26, but they blew past that, making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes. Sam Montembeault was supposed to be their guy, but after only five wins and a .861 save percentage through his first 13 starts by the end of November, Jakub Dobes took over. Dobes was straight-up dominant in the final 15 games and then absolutely saved their season multiple times in the playoffs! With Dobes' emergence and prospect Jacob Fowler also playing well, Montembeault basically lost his spot, playing only three games from late January through the end of the playoff push. LeBrun even reported that Montembeault is not going to play another game for the Canadiens, and they will absolutely have to move him. He's got one year left at a $3.15 million cap hit, so finding a team looking for a solid backup or tandem goalie should be no sweat.

The Senators Go All-In on Ullmark's Mental Health Journey

And finally, how about the Ottawa Senators making a huge statement with Linus Ullmark? The Sens have been stuck in a goaltending carousel since Craig Anderson left, and while Ullmark was supposed to be the answer, his play caused some real concerns for parts of the 2025-26 season. But then, he opened up about his mental health after taking a leave of absence, and what a comeback! As the season wrapped up, Ullmark was playing some of his best hockey, and that dominance continued into the playoffs with a .932 save percentage, even though they got swept in the first round. Now, the Senators have hired Maciej Szwoch as the coordinator of goaltending scouting and development, showing they are 100% all-in on Ullmark. Ullmark himself credited Szwoch, an old coach and friend, for helping him regain his motivation and love for the game. Head coach Travis Green even called Szwoch "Just a mentor and friend in town to help him out. Help him through some hard times" during the season. This hiring, after Szwoch spent the back half of the season with the club, is a massive sign of belief in Ullmark. So there you have it, folks, some wild stuff brewing in the NHL! Can't wait to see how these stories play out and impact the league, from monster contracts to goalie shake-ups. Get ready for an exciting offseason!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.