- Agent Don Meehan says Connor Bedard is planning a “very aggressive” rehab from left shoulder surgery
- Bedard is out an estimated four months and wants back before the November timeline
- Read below for Meehan’s full breakdown of the surgery and Bedard’s new five-year deal
Connor Bedard has no interest in sitting still for four months.
Bedard’s agent, Don Meehan, told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times that the Blackhawks star is already pushing to beat the recovery timeline on his left shoulder surgery. Meehan was asked about Bedard’s mindset heading into the grind.
“[Connor is] absolutely determined. He’s been talking about a very aggressive form of rehab,” Meehan said. “There’s no reservations about him being totally committed to being back as soon as possible.”
Here’s Pope with the full rundown:
Bedard had the surgery in Colorado after an awkward fall during offseason training in the Vancouver area. The Blackhawks pegged him for an estimated four months, which points to a return in early-to-mid November.
Meehan made it clear Bedard isn’t going to wait patiently for that date. He said he already warned the team’s medical staff what’s coming.
“After 3 1/2 months, he’ll be in your office, and he’s not going to be a very positive guy if you don’t give him clearance to play,” Meehan said. “He’ll be miserable to live with.”
Doctors found the shoulder was unstable during the procedure, which Meehan said confirmed surgery was the right call. He added that there are “no concerns” about a full recovery, and that the medical staff believes the two shoulder injuries in an eight-month span were coincidental. Bedard also dealt with a right shoulder issue last December but skated through it without going under the knife.
The injury update landed just days after Bedard put pen to paper on his five-year, $15 million AAV extension.
Meehan said Chicago actually pushed for a longer term and settled on five years as a compromise. General manager Kyle Davidson wanted continuity and a signal, both inside the room and around the league, that the franchise player is staying put.
The Blackhawks circled November for their 21-year-old. Meehan is the one telling them not to be shocked if Bedard shows up early.
