<p>The <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks?_gl=1*4snu0o*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzA2MDU1Mjg1LjE3ODI3NjE1MDc.*_ga_K0F0MB46T8*czE3ODI3NjE1MDYkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODI3NjE1MTEkajU1JGwwJGgw" target="_blank" >Blackhawks</a> had straightforward decisions to make with their restricted free agents this year.</p><p>They made the expected ones.</p><p>Four of those players — forward Connor Bedard, defensemen Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro and goalie Drew Commesso — were given qualifying offers before the deadline Monday, allowing the Hawks to retain their rights past the expirations of their entry-level contracts Wednesday.</p><p>The only two Hawks restricted free agents not given qualifying offers were AHL defensemen Dmitri Kuzmin and Ryan Mast, neither of whom was seen as an NHL prospect. Kuzmin is rumored to be signing to play in the Kontinental Hockey League.</p><p>Among the players receiving qualifying offers, only Commesso has arbitration rights.</p><p>Contract negotiations between the Hawks and Bedard’s agents have <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/06/23/connor-bedard-blackhawks-contract-negotiations-nhl-free-agency-leo-carlsson-adam-fantilli?_gl=1*1l9umti*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzA2MDU1Mjg1LjE3ODI3NjE1MDc.*_ga_K0F0MB46T8*czE3ODI3NjE1MDYkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODI3NjE1MDYkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" >revved up recently</a>, with the two sides exchanging their desired numbers and working toward an agreement. Although it’s still unknown what length of contract they’ll settle on and what the annual salary-cap hit will be (likely in the $13-16 million range), fans need not worry about the possibility of Bedard signing an offer sheet with another team.</p><p>Korchinski, Del Mastro and Commesso are likely to receive one- or two-year contracts with low salary-cap hits, extending their windows to establish themselves as NHL players without giving them long-term commitments in case they don’t.</p><p>The two defensemen are no longer exempt from waivers next season, so training camp will be crucial for them.