- Connor Bedard is skating again two months after left shoulder surgery
- The four-month timeline still points to an early-November return
- Read below for the latest on the recovery and who covers his minutes
Connor Bedard is back on the ice, and the Blackhawks have not moved off their original November target.
Bedard had surgery on his left shoulder in early July after a fall into the boards during an offseason skate. Chicago put a four-month timeline on the recovery, which lines up with an early-November return and roughly the first 14 games of the season.
Scott Powers of The Athletic laid out this week where the rehab stands with training camp closing in.
“From what I’m hearing, Connor Bedard’s recovery is going as planned so far. He was expected to be skating at this point. He’s obviously restricted what he can do on the ice for now.”
Whether the Blackhawks eventually deem him ahead of schedule and move that date up is still an open question, per Powers.
Fans already got a look at the progress. Video from the Blackhawks Ice Center on Monday showed Bedard out there on his own, moving freely and taking light shots. Take a look:
Chicago knows what this stretch looks like. Bedard missed 14 games as a rookie and 13 more last season, and the Blackhawks went 8-17-2 while averaging 2.07 goals per game in those absences.
He has led the team in scoring in all three of his NHL seasons, going from 61 points in 68 games as a rookie to 75 points in 69 games last year. That works out to an 89-point pace over a full schedule.
His new deal raises the stakes. Chicago announced a five-year, $75 million contract after the surgery, so the raise kicks in on a season Bedard will open in a suit.
Anton Frondell picks up the slack in the meantime. He is expected to move to center this season, with Frank Nazar taking on more and summer additions Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov giving the top six some cover.
Early November is the date to circle. Chicago has to get through October first.
