Blackhawks news and rumors: Pridham, Mikheyev, Bedard Contract Updates & More – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The calendar has officially changed to June, which means we’re that much closer to the NHL Entry Draft (June 26 & 27) and the start of free agency (July 1). Things in the world of hockey will be starting to heat up this month in preparation for these events.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, they traded all hope for an interesting new rule. Also, they are working hard on a new contract for restricted free agent (RFA) and the face of the franchise Connor Bedard. Meanwhile, there is some controversy surrounding pending talks for unrestricted free agent (UFA) Ilya Mikheyev. Finally, we have a health update on veteran forward Teuvo Teravainen, and the Blackhawks bid farewell to a former Blackhawks legend.

Let’s get to the latest news and rumors.

Blackhawks Trade Prospect Jack Pridham to Lightning

In other interesting news on Monday (June 1), the Blackhawks announced a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The rights to forward Jack Pridham will go to the Lightning, in exchange for a third-round pick in 2027. The Lightning actually gave more context to the X trade than the Blackhawks did.

We acquired the rights to forward Jack Pridham from the Chicago Blackhawks for a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Pridham has committed to play in the NCAA next season and the school is expected to be announced in the coming days.

🗞️ pic.twitter.com/HPAsZvYo83

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 1, 2026

He was selected in the third round (92^n.d overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks, Pridham decommitted from Boston University last year in favor of returning to the OHL Kitchener Rangers for a second season. Because of this, he had to commit to college on June 1 of this year or sign an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. Besides, he was going to hire in the draft. All signs pointed to Pridham re-entering the draft, until this trade came along.

Pridham far exceeded expectations this year, amassing 46 goals and 90 points in 65 games as the OHL’s second-leading scorer in the regular season. He then went on to tally two goals and 17 points in 18 playoff games, helping the Rangers punch their ticket to the Memorial Cup, the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) grand final. There, Pridham continued his strong run, contributing five goals and nine points in four games.

26 seconds to the third! #Blackhawks hope Jack Pridham scores on 5-on-3 🅿️🅿️ to make it 4-1 @OHLRangers! #Memorial Cup pic.twitter.com/DajrL7L93U

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 1, 2026

Although Pridham increased his value this season, the Blackhawks were not ready to sign the 20-year-old. General manager Kyle Davidson has built a very strong prospect pool, with several players ahead of Pridham on the depth chart. A young hope would compete for a place with many others. You’ll probably have better options with lightning in the long run.

Meanwhile, Davidson has even gotten a return (a 2027 third-round pick for a 2024 third-round pick) instead of losing Pridham for nothing if he had redrafted. Good job Blackhawks’ GM.

Moving on, Elliotte Friedman revealed on his recent “32 Thoughts” podcast that the league was unhappy with the Blackhawks’ UFA Mikheyev. The club has reportedly offered Mikheyev a contract extension, but so far he has declined. Scott Powers of The Athletic said he believes the offer is in the $4.75 million range, with a two-to-three-year term (from ‘Where things stand between Blackhawks, Ilya Mikeheyev: Interest and pragmatism’, The AthleticCHI – 5/20/2026).

But the 31-year-old and his agent feel they can get more on the open market. After all, this could be his last chance to cash in on a big NHL contract. So the Blackhawks made it known throughout the league that his rights are available for trade if any team wants to talk to him before he is released in free agency.

Obviously, this leads to distraction. Teams and free agents are not supposed to have these types of negotiations before they are allowed on July 1. In response, the league sent a memo to all NHL teams reminding them that fines for interference can be up to $5 million.

It seems right that the Blackhawks let Mikheyev explore all of his options, and I’m sure these conversations happen all the time. But apparently the Blackhawks “crossed the line” by going public about it. Apparently the league wasn’t too happy when they heard that Nick Foligno was hiring Tyler Bertuzzi before free agency back in 2024. Either way, if the Blackhawks were going to be fined it probably would have already happened.

I think they would think their hands were slapped.

Teravainen Health Update

The Powers of The Athletic also wrote recently that Blackhawks forward Teravainen suffered a broken finger while playing for Team Finland at this year’s World Championships (from ‘What I’m hearing about the Blackhawks: Trading draft picks and expiring contract rights’, The AthleticCHI – 5/28/2026).

Teravainen was injured in Finland’s opener against Germany, but not before registering a career-high two assists on the team’s first two goals. It’s certainly unfortunate for the Blackhawks forward, as Team Finland went on to win the gold medal in the tournament.

Leijonien komplezione pöpturtyy: Teräväisen kisat ohi, Erholtzin passiin leima.

Read more: #MMkisat pic.twitter.com/8QJI8JfTY8

– Leijonat.fi (@leijonat) May 16, 2026

Teravainen needed surgery on his finger, and his recovery time is expected to be four to six weeks. Fortunately, this shouldn’t cut too much into his offseason training. While the 31-year-old veteran didn’t have a stellar 2025-26 season with the Blackhawks, his contributions on the power play and penalty kill can still be praised. The hope is that Teravainen will have a bounce-back campaign in 2026-27.

Bedard Contract Negotiations

Meanwhile, everyone is waiting for the Blackhawks and young star Bedard to be signed. It is arguably one of the most anticipated contract extensions coming this offseason. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on a recent episode of “First Up” that Bedard and the Blackhawks finally reached some dirty details, and that this could be finalized sometime this month.

Obviously, it is in the best interest of the Blackhawks to have their champion and the face of the business locked up. Most experts believe this will be a long-term contract (players can still sign eight-year deals until Sept. 15, 2026), and that it could be somewhere between the annual cap of $12 to $15 million.

In interviews in April Bedard said, “At the end of the day, I just see what fits the team best, what suits me best, and just go from there kind of thing. I’m very open to whatever they see, and what they have to say.”

For his part, Blackhawks GM Davidson wants to pay Bedard his due, but he also wants to build a championship roster that can compete for years to come.

I think it probably goes a lot to the big cap puzzle that we’re trying to build and stay competitive in the market. In the end, there are only so many dollars to go around. He wants to build a deep team. You want to build a team that you feel is a championship roster, that’s why we do this. And so we want to work it out, and you want to make sure that both sides feel like there’s a consensus there…we definitely want to make sure that we’re not picky, while we understand that there’s a limited amount of money that we have to go around to spend on our roster and, while we’re not being fair to a very good, high-profile young player.

It’s Davidson’s job to make sure he’s able to build around Bedard for the rest of his contract, and it sounds like Bedard understands he’s just one piece of the puzzle. Admittedly, he is a big piece; but just one piece though. It takes a team to win hockey championships, and Bedard wants to win. It seems that he is willing to work with the organization to ensure that there is plenty of money, and talent, to go around.

Regardless of what Bedard and the Blackhawks decide, it sounds like a deal will come soon.

Blackhawks legend Dennis Hull Dies at 81

In other bad news, the Blackhawks announced on Saturday (May 30) that former Blackhawks forward, Dennis Hull, has died at the age of 81. Hull played 13 seasons with the Blackhawks, from 1964 to 1977. He recorded 298 goals and 640 points in 904 games in a record 904 games and 97 in the 92nd campaign, a franchise record 92. He also contributed 33 goals and 67 points in 97 playoff games.

On behalf of the Wirtz family and the Chicago Blackhawks organization, we mourn the passing of Dennis Hull❤️

Our condolences to the Hull family at this time. pic.twitter.com/ZptDCBfGfS

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 31, 2026

Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said,

Known throughout the league for his great skill, toughness and intelligence, Dennis was as dominant on the ice as he was popular. He often used his sharp wit and sense of humor to keep the locker room comfortable, while his warmth and humility made everyone he met feel welcome.

Hull was often in the shadow of his more famous older brother, Bobby, who died in 2023 at the age of 84. While Bobby was called “The Golden Jet”, Dennis was often called “The Silver Jet”. The two brothers enjoyed playing together with the Blackhawks for eight seasons (from 1964-1972).

That will do it for this edition of Blackhawks News and Rumors. The offseason is ramping up in what should be an exciting draft and free agency ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Be sure to keep it here on Hockey Writers for all the latest news, analysis and updates surrounding the Blackhawks.