Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard was forced off the ice in agony after a brutal cross-check during the final 0.8 seconds of Friday night's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, clutching his right shoulder and sidelined for at least Saturday's game against Detroit.
The 20-year-old center, who's been lighting up the NHL with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points in 31 games, was taking a faceoff when Blues forward Brayden Schenn slammed him to the ice in what coach Jeff Blashill called a "freak accident." Bedard immediately skated to the tunnel, leaving fans stunned and the Blackhawks scrambling.
The Incident That Stopped Chicago Cold
It was a meaningless play at the end – or so it seemed. The Blues iced the puck, adding time back to the clock, forcing one last faceoff. Schenn's check sent Bedard crashing awkwardly, and video footage captured the young star wincing in pain as he headed for medical evaluation.
Blackhawks coach Blashill confirmed Bedard would sit out the Detroit matchup, with
more details expected Monday after further tests. No penalties were called on the play, but the timing couldn't have been worse for a team leaning heavily on their top scorer.
Bedard's Breakout Season Suddenly in Jeopardy
Bedard, the No. 1 pick in 2023, has been Chicago's heartbeat this year, ranking
fifth in NHL points despite the team's struggles. He even notched two assists in the Blues loss before the injury hit.
This isn't his first rodeo with bad luck – he missed 14 games as a rookie with a
fractured jaw from a hit by New Jersey's Brendan Smith. Fans are holding their breath, wondering if history is repeating itself.
Bigger Picture: Playoffs, Olympics, and Blackhawks Woes
The injury throws a wrench into Chicago's
playoff push, where Bedard has been their offensive engine. More critically, it jeopardizes his spot on
Team Canada's 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics roster, a dream for the Canadian phenom.
Analysts are already buzzing about recovery timelines for shoulder injuries, which can sideline stars for weeks or longer. Fantasy managers, take note: brace for an extended absence until Monday's update.
What Happens Next for Bedard and the Hawks?
Chicago faces a Canadian road trip without their star, testing their depth. Blashill's lineup tinkering will be key, but losing Bedard feels like ripping out the team's spark plug.
Key takeaways for Blackhawks fans:-
Short-term: Out vs. Detroit; Monday eval incoming.
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Season impact: Massive – he's their points leader.
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Olympic watch: Recovery pace will decide his 2026 fate.
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Stay tuned: Official NHL updates expected soon.
Bedard's resilience is legendary, but this shoulder scare reminds us how fragile even superstars are. Chicago – and Canada – will be glued to every report.
Sources
1. Connor Bedard Injured: Blackhawks Star Out After Last-Second Faceoff vs. Blues | NHL Injury Update
2. Connor Bedard Injury Update: When Will He Return to the Blackhawks? | NHL News
3. Connor Bedard Injured: Blackhawks Star Suffers Shoulder Injury in Freak Accident vs Blues
4. Bedard placed on injured reserve by Blackhawks with fractured jaw
5. Connor Bedard - NHL News & Rumors
6. Connor Bedard - Wikipedia
7. Connor Bedard heads to tunnel after appearing to suffer injury on faceoff | ESPN NHL
8. Connor Bedard is reportedly suffering from a serious injury
