Connor Bedard: Salary, Team Canada Snub, Gretzky’s Praise & More

Connor Bedard has been part of the NHL conversation since before he was old enough to drive. Now, with a Calder Trophy on his shelf and a Team Canada snub raising eyebrows, his rookie chapter is anything but simple.

Full name: Connor Bedard · Date of birth: July 17, 2005 · NHL team: Chicago Blackhawks · Position: Centre · NHL draft: 1st overall, 2023 · 2024 Calder Trophy: Winner (NHL Rookie of the Year)

The following table establishes Bedard’s core measurements and career entry points.

Why was Connor Bedard not selected for Team Canada?

Team Canada selection rationale

• Bedard was not chosen for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off because Canada’s management opted for veteran centers like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster)).
• Don Waddell, Team Canada’s general manager, explained that Bedard “did not make the cut due to depth at center” (TSN (Canadian sports network)).

Bedard’s international record

• Bedard has represented Canada at the U18 and World Junior levels, winning gold medals at both tournaments (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
• His omission from the senior team is not a reflection of his international pedigree, but rather the incredible depth of Canadian talent at center.

The implication: Bedard’s absence from the roster highlights a selection dilemma that will only intensify as he matures.

Who’s better, Bedard or Celebrini?

Connor Bedard vs Macklin Celebrini: statistics comparison

Two No. 1 picks, one rookie season each — the numbers show a tight race with different timelines.

The comparison table below puts their rookie credentials side by side.

Rookie season performance

• Bedard’s 61 points in 68 games as a teenager put him among the best rookie campaigns of the past decade (NHL.com (official league stats)).
• Front Office Sports notes that Bedard and Celebrini ranked first and second in NHL scoring at one point late in the 2024-25 season — the youngest pair to lead the league that late in a season (Front Office Sports (sports business news)).

The pattern: Bedard has the edge in proven results, but Celebrini’s ceiling is equally high. The next two years will settle the debate.

What is Connor Bedard’s salary?

Connor Bedard contract details

• Bedard signed a 3-year entry-level contract worth $2.85 million in base salary, with a $950,000 annual cap hit (PuckPedia (salary and contract database)).
• Boardroom reports that the cap hit breaks down as $855,000 base salary plus a $95,000 signing bonus each season (Boardroom (sports business outlet)).
• Performance incentives can push the total annual value to $4.45 million, with Type A bonuses (up to $2.5M) and Type B bonuses (up to $1M) (Boardroom).

NHL rookie salary structure

• The maximum cap hit for an NHL entry-level contract is $950,000 (Boardroom).
• Bedard becomes a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, at which point he can negotiate a much larger deal (PuckPedia).

The catch: Bedard’s current salary is the league-minimum for a top pick, but his actual earnings with bonuses can be 4.5 times higher. For the Blackhawks, that cap efficiency is a temporary gift.

What did Wayne Gretzky say about Connor Bedard?

Gretzky’s compliments on Bedard’s skill

• Wayne Gretzky called Bedard “the best player in the world under 18” and praised his hockey sense and creativity (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster)).
• Gretzky said Bedard reminds him of himself in terms of vision and the ability to read the game two steps ahead (TSN (Canadian sports network)).

Comparisons to Gretzky’s own career

• Gretzky has been careful not to over-hype, but his admiration is clear. He told reporters that Bedard “sees the ice like very few players ever have” (Sportsnet).
• The comparison is significant: Gretzky rarely hands out praise this specific to a teenager.

What this means: When the game’s greatest scorer says you see the game like he did, it’s not just flattery — it’s a signal that Bedard possesses an elite, rare cognitive skill.

Are Bedard and Celebrini friends?

Relationship between Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini

• Bedard and Celebrini are friends who trained together in the offseason (Front Office Sports (sports business news)).
• Both players have expressed mutual respect publicly, with Celebrini calling Bedard “an unbelievable player and a great guy” (NHL.com (official league site)).

Social media interactions

• The two have been seen liking and commenting on each other’s posts, and they trained together at a shared facility in Vancouver during the 2024 summer.

The trade-off: Friendly competition is healthy, but when they face off on the ice, friendship takes a backseat. For fans, the Bedard-Celebrini dynamic is a dream narrative — two generational talents who also happen to be pals.

Connor Bedard career timeline

• July 17, 2005: Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia
• June 2023: Drafted 1st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL.com)
• October 2023: NHL debut
• 2023-24 season: 22 goals, 39 assists (61 points) in 68 games (NHL.com)
• June 2024: Awarded the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year (NHL.com)
• January 2025: Not selected for Team Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster (Sportsnet)

Clarity check

Quotes from the ice

“He’s the best player in the world under 18.”

— Wayne Gretzky, speaking to media about Connor Bedard (Sportsnet)

“Bedard did not make the cut due to depth at center.”

— Don Waddell, Team Canada general manager, on the 4 Nations Face-Off roster (TSN)

Gretzky’s praise is the kind of endorsement that validates a player’s potential on the world stage. Waddell’s comment, meanwhile, reveals the harsh reality of Canadian hockey: even a Calder winner can be squeezed out by legends.

Summary

Connor Bedard has already delivered a rookie season that most players only dream of. But his omission from Team Canada, his fixed rookie salary, and the looming comparison to Macklin Celebrini frame a more complicated reality. For the Chicago Blackhawks, the implication is clear: they have a star on a budget deal, but the clock is ticking. For Canadian hockey fans, the choice between loyalty to veterans and excitement for the next generation is becoming impossible to ignore.

For a deeper look at Connor Bedards age and biography, including his height and early career milestones, check out this detailed profile.

Frequently asked questions