Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard to miss season start after surgery
Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard is expected to miss the start of the NHL season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder.
The franchise issued a formal medical update on Wednesday regarding the expected recovery timeline for the 20-year-old.
We expect him to make a full recovery in an approximate timeline of four months.
Based on this prognosis, the former first overall draft pick will be absent for at least the opening month of the 2026-27 campaign.
This year marks the introduction of the NHL’s new 84-game schedule under the updated collective bargaining agreement, which pushes opening night up to late September.
Training ground accident
The prolific goalscorer sustained the damage during a summer training session with Kaivo Hockey in Vancouver.
Video footage from early July showed the Canadian losing an edge on the ice and crashing heavily into the boards.
He was seen rapidly departing the rink while clearly favouring his left arm.
Contract complications
Entering his fourth professional campaign, the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year remains a restricted free agent.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has publicly declined to comment on ongoing contract negotiations.
However, discussions may be complicated by a monumental offer sheet recently signed by fellow 2023 draftee Leo Carlsson.
The Anaheim Ducks forward, selected immediately after Bedard, agreed to an unprecedented deal with the Philadelphia Flyers carrying an $18m average annual salary.
Crucial absence for struggling franchise
Losing their primary offensive weapon is a major blow for a rebuilding Chicago team that has finished 31st overall for three consecutive years.
Despite the club’s broader struggles last season, the dynamic attacker still registered a team-high 75 points and 30 goals in just 69 appearances.
Over his brief but spectacular career, the young superstar has amassed 203 points in 219 games, though he has yet to taste playoff hockey.