Blackhawks' Connor Bedard out 4 months after shoulder surgery

Field Level Media|published: Wed 8th July, 15:57 2026

Apr 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) looks to pass the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks star forward Connor Bedard is expected to recover in four months after undergoing surgery to repair his left shoulder, the team announced Wednesday.

Based on the team-provided timeline, Bedard would miss over one month of the 2026-27 regular season.

Bedard, who will turn 21 on July 17, was injured after tumbling into the boards during an offseason on-ice workout last Thursday.

He recorded career-high totals in goals (30), assists (45) and points (75), with the latter two serving as team bests. He missed 12 games in 2025-26 -- not suiting up the entire month of January -- as a result to an injury to his right shoulder.

Bedard won the 2024 Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie after totaling 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games. He has 203 points (75 goals, 128 assists) in 219 career games since being selected by the Blackhawks with the top overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks are expected to begin the regular season in September with the new 84-game schedule to be released later this month. Their first preseason game is Sept. 19 against Minnesota with the new four-game regional-based format also sending the Blackhawks to St. Louis (Sept. 24) and hosting the Blues on Sept. 26.

--Field Level Media

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