Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks' star center, will miss four months after undergoing left shoulder surgery. The injury occurred during offseason training, and Bedard is expected to return in early November.
What happened?
Bedard suffered the injury in an on-ice training session, taking a hard fall and exiting the ice in obvious discomfort. The Blackhawks' worst fears were confirmed when the team announced that Bedard would require surgery.
Why it matters for Connor Bedard
This is the second shoulder injury Bedard has suffered in a matter of months. In December, he missed 12 games due to a shoulder injury against the St. Louis Blues. Bedard has missed at least 13 games in two of his first three NHL seasons, and his latest injury will keep him out for an extended stretch to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
What comes next?
The Blackhawks were hoping their rebuild would finally turn a corner in 2026-27, but Bedard's injury has thrown a wrench into those plans. The team will have to weather an early-season storm without their star center. Bedard's production last year was outstanding, with 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games, but his game still has plenty of warts defensively.
The Blackhawks haven't reached the playoffs once since 2017, and their rebuild has yielded little progress. Chicago went 29-39-14 and finished 31st in the league last year, 18 points out of a playoff spot.
Bedard's injury is a significant setback for the Blackhawks, who were counting on him to lead the team's offense. The team will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Bedard's absence.
The Blackhawks' rebuild is still in its early stages, and Bedard's injury is a reminder that the team still has a long way to go before it re-establishes itself as a Stanley Cup contender.
Impact on the Blackhawks' season
The Blackhawks will have to navigate the early part of the season without Bedard, which will be a significant challenge. The team's defense is already a concern, and Bedard's absence will put even more pressure on the team's other players.
The Blackhawks were hoping to make a push for the playoffs this season, but Bedard's injury has made that goal even more difficult to achieve. The team will have to rely on its depth and resilience to overcome the loss of its star center.
Conclusion
Connor Bedard's injury is a significant blow to the Chicago Blackhawks, who were counting on him to lead the team's offense. The team will have to navigate the early part of the season without Bedard, which will be a significant challenge. The Blackhawks' rebuild is still in its early stages, and Bedard's injury is a reminder that the team still has a long way to go before it re-establishes itself as a Stanley Cup contender.