Blackhawks Center Connor Bedard Has Left Shoulder Surgery, Expected to Recover in Four Months

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard underwent surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday and is expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 NHL season, ESPN reported. The Blackhawks said fans should expect Bedard to make a full recovery in an approximate timeline of four months.

Based on that timeline, he would miss at least the first month of the season, which begins in late September under the NHL's new collective bargaining agreement.

Bedard, who turns 21 on July 17, was injured during a training session with Kaivo Hockey in Vancouver. Video from July 2 showed him losing an edge and crashing into the boards before leaving the ice while favoring his left shoulder. Team physician Michael Terry confirmed the four-month recovery projection.

The 2023 No. 1 draft pick led Chicago with 75 points in 69 games last season, including 30 goals. For his career, he has 203 points in 219 games. Bedard missed 12 games last season with a right shoulder injury and nearly six weeks of his rookie season with a broken jaw.

The Blackhawks finished 29-39-14 last season, an 11-point improvement, but have not reached the playoffs since 2020. Bedard is a restricted free agent who has completed his entry-level contract. General manager Kyle Davidson has said he will not comment on negotiations until a deal is reached.

Those talks could be affected by the $18 million average annual salary offer sheet signed by Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson with the Philadelphia Flyers, the highest in the NHL.