Central Notes: Bedard, Fowler, Jiricek

With Connor Bedard set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, talks on a new deal are well underway, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently reported on the DFO Rundown (video link).  At this point, he noted that they’re examining both max-term options (eight years until mid-September, then seven years after that) or a bridge deal that would still have him under club control at its expiration.  In that scenario, the contract couldn’t be any longer than three years.  Bedard, the number one pick in 2023, had 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games this season for the Blackhawks.  Given his production so far and anticipated trajectory, AFP Analytics pegs a three-year bridge deal checking in at a $9.38MM AAV while a max-term eight-year agreement landing him $12.36MM per season.  With the big jumps coming to the Upper Limit, Bedard could plausibly try to command more than that to forego his first four seasons of UFA eligibility.

Elsewhere in the Central:

• When Cam Fowler was traded to the Blues and signed an extension, he hoped to be getting out of a rebuild situation and onto more of a win-now club. However, with St. Louis now rebuilding or at least retooling, he finds himself in a very similar situation to his time in Anaheim, observes Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (subscription link).  The 34-year-old is beginning a new three-year, $18.3MM deal next season and he could very well become a trade candidate before too long.  While Fowler has full trade protection, a chance to go to a team with aspirations of short-term success might be enticing enough for him to consider it.
• If Fowler winds up staying with the Blues, he’ll be asked to play a mentorship role for some of their young blueliners. One of those could be Adam Jiricek, who will be a full-time pro next season for the first time.  Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic spoke with Jiricek’s junior coach (long-time NHL rearguard Jay McKee), who noted that Jiricek should warrant a long look in training camp and could be ready to play at the top level next season.  The 19-year-old was the 16th pick in 2019 and had a dominant year with OHL Brantford, amassing 59 points in 55 regular season games and 22 more in 15 playoff contests.  He’s now getting his feet wet with AHL Springfield, jumping right into their lineup as they look to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals tonight.