Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard to overlook 4 months after shoulder damage as Chicago’s rebuild hits one other impediment

The Chicago Blackhawks could not make it by July with out getting horrible damage information. After struggling an damage in offseason coaching, star middle Connor Bedard is anticipated to overlook 4 months after present process left shoulder surgical procedure.

Final week, video surfaced of Bedard taking a tough fall in an on-ice coaching session. He exited the ice in apparent discomfort, and the Blackhawks’ worst fears have turn out to be actuality.

That is the second shoulder damage Bedard has suffered in a matter of months. In December, Bedard suffered a shoulder damage towards the St. Louis Blues, and he was pressured to overlook 12 video games. Bedard has missed not less than 13 video games in two of his first three NHL seasons, and he will probably be out for an prolonged stretch to start the 2026-27 marketing campaign.

Based mostly on the timeline supplied by the staff, Bedard ought to return in early November. Up to now, that meant he could solely miss two or three weeks, however he’ll be out not less than double that with the NHL lowering its preseason and increasing to 84 regular-season video games. Bedard is now slated to overlook over a month, with opening evening pushed as much as late September.

The No. 1 general decide within the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard has flashed famous person potential on many events, however accidents and a depressing supporting solid have prevented him from making a everlasting leap into the league’s elite tier. Bedard’s manufacturing — 30 targets and 45 assists in 69 video games — was excellent final yr. Nonetheless, like the remainder of the staff, his recreation nonetheless has loads of warts defensively.

After swinging a polarizing commerce for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, the Blackhawks had been hoping their rebuild would lastly flip a nook in 2026-27. Bedard is getting into his fourth yr, different high prospects look able to assume greater roles and Spencer Knight has emerged as a budding star in purpose.

Now, Bedard’s damage has thrown a wrench into these plans, and the Blackhawks should climate an early-season storm.

One other setback for Bedard, Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have not reached the playoffs as soon as since 2017 — the 2020 bubble postseason — and have been rebuilding in earnest for the reason that 2020-21 season. Six seasons later, that rebuild has yielded little progress.

Chicago went 29-39-14 and completed thirty first within the league final yr. That was an 11-point enchancment over the earlier season, however it nonetheless left them 18 factors out of a playoff spot. After digging itself such a deep gap in the beginning of the rebuild, the franchise nonetheless has an extended method to go earlier than it re-establishes itself as a Stanley Cup contender.

Even when Bedard had been wholesome to start out the season, the Blackhawks would’ve been an extended shot to make the playoffs. There are already critical questions on Byram’s means to be a No. 1 defenseman, and there’s a huge dropoff behind him on the blue line. Up entrance, a whole lot of issues would wish to interrupt Chicago’s approach to ensure that the staff to contend for the postseason.

The Hawks had been — and nonetheless are — relying on huge jumps from Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell and Oliver Moore. Every is a former first-round decide, however they’ve mixed for 194 video games and 100 factors. It is potential that the trio is sort of formidable a number of years from now, however in 2026-27? That is a little bit of a stretch.

So far as Bedard is worried, he was poised for an additional leap ahead, however now he’ll be behind the curve when he returns in November. It is in all probability unfair to count on Bedard to be at his finest instantly upon his return, particularly with a brand new coach implementing a brand new scheme, so the primary quarter of the season could possibly be gone by the point Bedard is absolutely comfy.

That is a troublesome blow for a participant who wants to succeed in one other degree for his staff to do the identical. It might nonetheless occur, however Bedard’s damage provides the Blackhawks zero room for error. Is the staff round Bedard ok to remain afloat with out him for the primary 15 video games of the season? Is Bedard ok on his personal that he might drag the Blackhawks again into the playoff race when he returns? I simply have not seen sufficient proof of both to consider Chicago has greater than a slim probability of constructing the playoffs.

If Chicago is searching for a silver lining, it is that the specter of one other staff throwing a gargantuan provide sheet at Bedard is way decrease now. Opposing groups in all probability do not wish to throw a boatload of cash at Bedard with out understanding extra concerning the long-term well being of his shoulder. That being the case, common supervisor Kyle Davidson must take this opportunity to hammer out a contract extension along with his star briefly order.