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.

Much of the buzz coming out of the press conference was centered on Connor Bedard, the franchise player of the Blackhawks, and his future in Chicago. The 19-year-old just completed his second NHL season with 67 points in 82 games and responded directly to recent speculation suggesting he might want out of Chicago.

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.