Connor Bedard will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced Wednesday afternoon that Bedard underwent surgery on his left shoulder earlier in the day after sustaining an injury during offseason training. His recovery is expected to take four months, putting his return to sometime in November.
Bedard suffered the injury while training in Vancouver with Kaivo Hockey, falling awkwardly into the boards during a July 2 drill. He left the ice in visible and audible pain, per Ryan McGregor.
Bedard was not on the ice Tuesday for the first Kaivo skate since his fall.
The injury appears similar to the upper-body injury Bedard sustained in December, which caused him to miss 12 games. McGregor noted the resemblance in how Bedard held his arm as he left the ice in both instances.
Bedard’s absence, even for just a month, will be a big blow to a Blackhawks team looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2019-20. Bedard led the team in points last season with 75 (30g, 45a) in 69 games. The 2024 Calder Trophy winner is nearly a point-per-game player during his three seasons in the NHL, posting 203 points (75 g, 128a) in his 219 games.
Bedard’s injury may also complicate contract talks, with the 21-year-old restricted free agent still unsigned after hitting free agency on July 1 amid Leo Carlsson’s groundbreaking offer sheet.
Washington Capitals prospect and Hershey Bears’ forward Andrew Cristall is also training with Kaivo Hockey this offseason, training alongside Bedard prior to his injury. The pair are good friends and reunite in the offseason to train together. They are joined at Kaivo by many NHL players, including Macklin Celebrini, Kent Johnson, and Vincent Iorio.
