Bedard, who has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, will become eligible for an extension July 1. He made it clear during exit interviews Thursday he intends to sign one.

The Blackhawks fired head coach Luke Richardson in December, and Anders Sörensen has been at the helm on an interim basis since. Davidson needs to hire a permanent head coach, and he also has to decide if he wants to re-sign Connor Bedard early.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard expressed his commitment to the Hawks’ future despite a season full of challenges.