Worrying details emerge regarding Connor Bedard and an offer sheet

That number now shapes what Connor Bedard can ask Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson for.

Bedard has outproduced Carlsson at every stage of their careers, tallying 203 points in 219 games since entering the league compared to Carlsson's 141 in 201.

That gap is why most of the conversation has jumped straight to a number north of $18 million.

But there's a variable in Bedard's file that complicates a clean comparison to Carlsson.

Bedard fell awkwardly on his left shoulder during an offseason skate in Vancouver on July 2, an incident that visibly echoed a similar injury in December.

He also missed four weeks last season with a right shoulder issue, and broke his jaw as a rookie after a hit from New Jersey's Brenden Dillon.

None of that erases his production case. It does give Davidson a legitimate argument for term protection, not just a lower cap hit, when talks resume.

The Blackhawks carry roughly $29 million in space, per PuckPedia, so matching or beating $18 million was never a math issue.

The real question is whether Chicago accepts a shorter, higher-value deal that limits its own risk exposure, or a longer term that locks in Bedard's price before it climbs further.

Bedard's shoulder update will likely decide which version of that contract gets negotiated first.

If all fails, don't be surprised to hear more talk of offer sheets heading Bedard's way.

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