Connor Bedard's agent spells out Blackhawks contract negotiations, shoulder surgery decision

Over the last six weeks, dating back to the NHL combine in early June, the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard went back and forth on contract negotiations. Bedard's agent, Don Meehan, laid out the process to the Sun-Times on Saturday, shortly after Bedard signed a five-year deal carrying a $15 million salary-cap hit. "We had a long discussion about term," Meehan said. "There were many variables that we considered. A shorter-term deal would've put in Connor in absolute control — if it were, for…