The latest on Connor Bedard’s contract situation, the reason why Vincent Trocheck was traded to the Mammoth, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Jack Bushman examines whether Connor Bedard’s shoulder surgery will affect his contract negotiations with the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Bedard, 21, is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights coming off his entry-level contract. He underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week and will be sidelined for four months.

Bushman believes his surgery could complicate those negotiations. So will Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million contract with its league-leading $18 million average annual value.

According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bedard camp is seeking an AAV of $17 million for their client’s next contract. Bushman doesn’t think the Blackhawks will try to play hardball with their franchise player, but he speculated they could use his injury history as justification for a lower annual cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s negotiations shake out. The Carlsson offer sheet saga overshadowed his contract talks with the Blackhawks. There’s been little indication whether any progress has been made. With the Ducks retaining Carlsson, perhaps we’ll see more coverage of Bedard’s contract situation.

Bedard’s also been mentioned as a possible offer-sheet target, but it’s believed he’s not interested in contract pitches from rival clubs. If so, that removes a major concern for the Blackhawks, enabling them to negotiate without fear of being blindsided as the Ducks were with Carlsson.

NEW YORK POST: Andrew Crane looked at why Vincent Trocheck wound up being traded to the Utah Mammoth on July 1 after months of reports claimed his preference was to remain in the Eastern Conference.

Crane reports the move to Utah wouldn’t have been possible last season, when Trocheck had a 12-team no-trade list. However, that list shifted to 10 teams on July 1, enabling the Rangers to send him to the Mammoth.

“It was just going to a team that I think can win was the most important thing to me,” Trocheck said on Friday when asked about the change to his no-trade clause. He explained that he’s been in the league a long time and hasn’t won anything yet.

Trocheck noted the Mammoth have made significant strides over the last two seasons. Crane also noted that Trocheck and Mammoth first-line winger Clayton Keller were teammates on Team USA’s gold-medal-winning men’s Olympic team. He also skates with Mammoth center Logan Cooley during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is a center who can also skate on the wing. He said Friday that he’d be open to playing on the wing with the Mammoth.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reported the St. Louis Blues brought back Oskar Sundqvist, signing the 32-year-old forward to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sundqvist was an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.5 million. Korac also reported that he makes his home in St. Louis and isn’t inclined to move. He’s spent eight of his 11 NHL seasons with the Blues and was part of their 2019 Stanley Cup run.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks announced the hirings of Ryan Mougenel, Jordan Smith, and Jason Krog as their new assistant coaches.