sports
Blackhawks center expected to miss start of 2026-27 season after shoulder surgery
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard underwent left-shoulder surgery on July 8 and is projected to miss at least the first month of the season. The team said he should make a full recovery in approximately four months.
Jul 9, 6:44 PM·1m read4 sources
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard underwent surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday and is expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season. The Blackhawks said fans should expect Bedard to make a full recovery in an approximate timeline of four months.
Based on that timeline, Bedard would miss at least the first month of the 84-game 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 context Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft and winner of Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, led Chicago with 75 points in 69 games last season, scoring 30 goals. For his career, he has 203 points in 219 games. The Blackhawks finished 29-39-14 last season, an 11-point improvement from the prior year.
Bedard has yet to appear in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Bedard is a restricted free agent after completing the final year of his entry-level contract. General manager Kyle Davidson has said he will not comment on negotiations until a deal is reached.
