​CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks confirmed Wednesday morning that star center Connor Bedard will miss at least the first month of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. Team physician Dr. Michael Terry said Bedard will be out for roughly four months, setting an estimated November return as the earliest possible date for the fourth-year standout.
The injury occurred last week during practice in Bedard’s hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. He slipped into the boards during a drill, leaving the ice in clear distress and clutching his shoulder. The scene echoed Bedard’s prior misfortune when he hurt his right shoulder in the final seconds of the Hawks’ 3-2 loss to St. Louis on December 12. He was knocked down by center Brayden Schenn on the final faceoff and skated off the ice with a grimace. That right shoulder injury sidelined him for 12 games, during which Chicago posted a 5-6-1 record.
Bedard’s health history also includes a fractured jaw suffered during his rookie season in 2023-24, which forced him to miss 14 games. If his recovery progresses on schedule, this current absence would mark the third time in three of his NHL seasons that he has missed time due to injury rather than routine rest or stagnation.
The full NHL schedule, which expands the regular season to 84 games, is set to be released on July 16 and is expected to begin in late September. Bedard’s absence could have potential implications beyond the ice, touching on contract discussions as the Hawks negotiate a possible extension with the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 draft. He remains a restricted free agent this summer and will turn 21 later this month. In 219 career games, Bedard has accumulated 203 points on 75 goals and 128 assists.
As the organization plans for life without Bedard at the outset, the Blackhawks will rely on depth in the forward corps and look to internal options to fill the production void while Bedard works toward his return. The broader implications for Chicago’s immediate on-ice performance, roster strategy, and potential long-term negotiation dynamics with Bedard will unfold over the months ahead, as the team adjusts to a schedule that now carries the weight of a delayed and uncertain start for one of its brightest young talents.