Blackhawks sign Oliver Moore to a surprising, long-term contract

Oliver Moore’s rise through the Chicago Blackhawks organization has taken another significant step forward, with the young forward agreeing to a five-year contract extension worth $4.25 million per season. For a player who has only recently established himself as a regular NHLer, the deal represents a major vote of confidence from the Blackhawks as they continue building around their young core.

Moore, selected by Chicago 19th overall in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, has taken the long road toward becoming an NHL regular. The Mounds View, Minnesota native spent two seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he developed into one of the program’s more important young forwards. During his sophomore season in 2024-25, Moore recorded 33 points in 38 games while serving as an alternate captain. He finished his college career with 66 points in 76 games.

His international résumé was just as impressive. Moore won back-to-back gold medals with the United States at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships, collecting eight points in 14 games. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2023 World Under-18 Championship, producing nine points in seven games.

The Blackhawks signed Moore to his entry-level contract in March 2025, giving him a three-year deal that runs through the 2026-27 season. He quickly began making the transition from highly regarded prospect to NHL contributor.

Moore appeared in nine NHL games during the 2024-25 season, recording four assists. He then took another step forward in 2025-26, playing 51 games and recording five goals and 14 assists for 19 points. That production came with limited NHL experience, as Moore averaged just under 13 minutes per game.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of his early NHL career came in November 2025, when Moore scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings. It was his 13th NHL game, and the goal came with just 16 seconds remaining in Chicago’s 5-1 victory.

Now, Chicago is betting on Moore taking another step.

The $4.25 million annual salary attached to his new five-year extension is a substantial commitment for a young forward who has only 60 NHL games under his belt. At the same time, the Blackhawks have been gradually assembling a young group around Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Moore, with Moore viewed as an important part of their developing group down the middle. NHL.com identified those three young centers as part of Chicago’s emerging core as the organization continued its rebuild.

There is still plenty of room for Moore’s offensive game to grow. His NHL numbers to this point — five goals and 23 points in 60 career games — don't tell the entire story of what Chicago believes he can become. His speed, two-way potential and versatility give the Blackhawks another young piece to develop alongside their highest-profile prospects.

For Moore, the next five years will be about proving that Chicago’s investment was justified. For the Blackhawks, the extension is another indication that the organization believes its young core is beginning to take shape.