Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard is expected back on the ice next week.
Connor Bedard Has Been The Out Past Five Weeks With Broken Jaw
Connor Bedard, out for the past five weeks with a broken jaw, is expected to return to the lineup for the Blackhawks next week, according to the team. The top pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has been sidelined since taking a hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith on Jan. 5.
Connor Bedard leads all NHL rookies with 33 points in 39 games with the Blackhawks this season. The rookie has tallied 15 goals to go with 18 assists. Consequently, Chicago has struggled in his absence, currently sporting the worst record in the NHL at 14-35-3. Chicago has scored just 109 goals this season, the second-fewest in the league to the 107 goals scored by the San Jose Sharks.
Connor Bedard: Injury Came With a Six to Eight Week Recovery Timeline
Connor Bedard had surgery three days after suffering the injury and a six-to-eight-week prognosis for recovery. Individual skating drills resumed on Jan. 15; additionally, he has cleared all of his weekly check-ups.
“We’re hoping after that six-week mark (after surgery), so that will be a week from today, I guess,” Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson told NHL.com.
The native of Vancouver, British Columbia, has made great progress in rehabilitation, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 21 and 23, respectively. Either of those games would be in the range of a prospective Bedard return.
Bedard is Still Leading Rookie Scoring Race Despite Absence
Connor Bedard remains the NHL rookie scoring leader in spite of not playing for more than a month. Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild — with 31 points through 51 games — is currently second in the rookie scoring race.
Despite the injury, Bedard was selected to play in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. He participated in All-Star Weekend activities, including acting as a special “guest passer” during the All-Star Skills competition.
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