​Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks’ standout rookie, underwent surgery on his left shoulder this past Wednesday, July 8, and the team announced that he will be sidelined for approximately four months. Video footage from last week captured Bedard leaving the ice in Vancouver, reaching for his shoulder after taking a hit while practicing with teammates, signaling the injury’s impact early in training activities.
The four-month recovery period pushes Bedard out of the lineup through early November, with the start date for the 2026-27 NHL season not expected to be finalized until next week. As a result, he will also miss roughly the first month of the season. This marks the third notable injury of Bedard’s still-developing career. A shoulder injury last season caused him to miss 12 games after a Dec. 12 faceoff clash in the waning moments of a game, though he eventually returned to the ice. Earlier in his professional journey, Bedard suffered a broken jaw during the 2023-24 season, which led to a 14-game absence during his rookie year.
Bedard is currently a restricted free agent and will need to secure a new contract before the 2026-27 NHL season begins. As the Blackhawks plan to build around their young star, the injury adds another layer of complexity to the team’s offseason proceedings and contract negotiations.
In other league notes, the NHL season’s full schedule will be released on July 16, with the campaign typically kicking off in early October. Notable events during the 2026-27 season include the anticipated return of the 2026 NHL Global Series in Germany (featuring the Blackhawks vs. Senators in Dusseldorf) scheduled for December 18-20, and the NHL All-Star Game slated for February 6 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY, highlighting Bedard’s shoulder injury and its implications for the Blackhawks as they navigate the 2026-27 season and Bedard’s long-term future with the team, including contract talks and recovery timelines.