The NHL's most exciting rookie is going to be sidelined for quite a bit of time.
Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is set to miss multiple weeks after injury his jaw during a Jan. 5 contest against the Devils in New Jersey.
As a result, Bedard will not be available for the NHL All-Star Game, which is scheduled for the first weekend in February.
Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, has been as advertised in his first year in the pros. The Chicago center is first on the team in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33), as well as leading all rookies in those categories. The highly touted prospect is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year, but his recent injury could put a damper on his case.
No team has been hit quite as heavy with injuries as the Blackhawks have. At the time of Bedard's placement on injured reserve, Seth Jones, Nick Foligno, Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, Taylor Hall, Taylor Raddysh and Anthony Beauviellier all were also sidelined for the team.
However, the absence of Bedard will undoubtedly be felt more than the others, leaving an already weak Blackhawks roster without its best offensive weapon.
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The Sporting News has everything fans need to know about Bedard's injury and his timeline for a return.
How long is Connor Bedard out?
The Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that Bedard underwent successful surgery to repair his fractured jaw.
He is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks with the injury.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Connor Bedard underwent successful surgery to repair his fractured jaw.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 10, 2024
We expect him to be out of the lineup for approximately 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/LotxSADHgA
With that timeline, Bedard could return to the team at some point in mid-February, or potentially the beginning of March.
Is Connor Bedard missing the All-Star Game?
As a result of his injury, Bedard is going to miss the 2024 All-Star Game.
The young center was tabbed as Chicago's representative in the first release of All-Star selections. At 18 years old, he was the youngest player ever to be given an All-Star nod in the NHL.
With Bedard no longer available, the Blackhawks will have to send someone else to Toronto for the weekend festivities. It is not known who his replacement will be at this time.
What happened to Connor Bedard?
Bedard was injured during the Blackhawks' Jan. 5 contest in New Jersey against the Devils.
In the first period, Devils defenseman Brendan Smith stepped up as Bedard was entering the offensive zone, and delivered a shoulder check to the Blackhawks center. Bedard went to the ice and immediately grabbed at his month.
Brendan Smith with a huge hit on Bedard and Kurashev stepped right in 👀 pic.twitter.com/dIn3mAwuP9
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 6, 2024
He exited the game, and did not return. Smith was not penalized for the hit on the play; however, he did end up fighting Foligno later in the second period as a result of the hit.
This has gotta be one of the longest fights I've ever seen lol pic.twitter.com/idld1ht4st
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 6, 2024
Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson discussed the hit after the game. He stated the he didn't see anything wrong with the play.
"I don't know if it was dirty, I saw Connor reaching for a puck and didn't see him because he was behind one of their other players," Richardson said. "I don't think [Smith] stepped up on him. I think he stopped and Connor kind of ran head-first right into it.
"I don't think there was intent to hit or anything. I think he was playing hard on the blue line."
