- Jeff Blashill says Connor Bedard “isn’t close” to joining Blackhawks practice
- Shoulder surgery has him ticketed for an early November return, not sooner
- Read below for who steps in at center while Bedard is out
Jeff Blashill just put the brakes on any hope of an early Connor Bedard return.
The Blackhawks captain isn’t close to rejoining the team for practice, the head coach told reporters Wednesday.
Blashill was asked directly where Bedard stands in his recovery from shoulder surgery, and he didn’t leave much room for hope.
“Connor Bedard isn’t close yet to joining the Blackhawks for practice,” Blashill said, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago. Here’s the exchange:
The timing stings because Bedard had been trending the right way. Video circulated earlier this week of him ripping slap shots during an on-ice session, and it had fans dreaming about a return well ahead of schedule. Take a look:
Bedard had surgery on his left shoulder in early July, and the Blackhawks set a four-month recovery window at the time. That points to an early November return, and Wednesday’s update lines up with the original plan instead of speeding it up. He was back on the ice by mid-September, but rejoining the team for practice is still the next box to check.
Chicago named Bedard the 37th captain in franchise history earlier this month, and he heads into the season coming off a 30-goal, 75-point year in 69 games during his age-20 campaign.
Frank Nazar slides into the No. 1 center role in the meantime. The 2022 first-round pick broke out with 15 goals and 41 points last season. Rookie Anton Frondell, the third overall pick in 2025, is next in line behind him after picking up nine points in 12 NHL games down the stretch.
Chicago opens the season Oct. 6 against the Blues, and Wednesday’s update makes it clear Bedard won’t be in the lineup for it.
