Connor Bedard Out for Season Start After Shoulder Surgery

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard will miss the start of the upcoming NHL season following surgery on his left shoulder. The procedure took place on Wednesday, with team physician Michael Terry providing an optimistic outlook, stating that Bedard is expected to make a full recovery in approximately four months.

With the NHL’s regular-season schedule yet to be announced, the Blackhawks are left to wonder how this setback will impact their roster as they aim to rise from a challenging rebuilding phase. Last season, the team kicked off its campaign on October 7, and anticipation is building for what lies ahead without their young star.

Bedard, who will turn 21 on July 17, sustained the injury while skating with fellow NHL players in his hometown of Vancouver last week. This injury is a significant blow to a franchise that has been grappling with its performance and identity. In his third NHL season, Bedard achieved career highs with 30 goals and 45 assists over 69 games, showcasing his growth as a key player. He previously missed 12 games after injuring his right shoulder during a draw in a 3-2 loss to St. Louis on December 12.

General manager Kyle Davidson spoke highly of Bedard’s contributions, emphasizing his importance to the team. “He’s so important to our team,” Davidson said in April. “He took such a big step forward this year in every facet.” As a restricted free agent, the implications of his injury could complicate negotiations for his next contract, especially considering his past struggles, including a nearly six-week absence during his rookie season due to a broken jaw.

Last season, Chicago finished with a record of 29-39-14, marking an 11-point improvement from the previous year but still falling short of playoff contention. The Blackhawks have not made a postseason appearance since the NHL expanded its playoff format following the 2020 season, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bedard has emerged as the centerpiece of the Blackhawks’ future. He made a highly anticipated NHL debut that October and went on to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year, finishing his second season with 23 goals and 44 assists across all 82 games.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.