Connor Bedard Lands on IR, Blackhawks Navigate Short-Term Future Without Their Star
The Chicago Blackhawks will be without Connor Bedard for a stretch, though it doesn’t appear to be a long-term absence-at least not yet.
Bedard, the 18-year-old phenom who’s been the brightest spot in a rebuilding season, was injured late in Friday night’s game against the St. Louis Blues after a heavy hit from Brayden Schenn.
It was the kind of collision that made fans hold their breath. Bedard didn’t suit up for Saturday’s game against Detroit, and now we have some clarity on what’s next.
The Blackhawks placed Bedard on injured reserve, retroactive to December 12. Importantly, it’s not long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which would have automatically ruled him out for at least 10 games and 24 days.
Instead, this move keeps the door open for a return sooner-though head coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard will be re-evaluated after the New Year. That means he’s definitely out through the rest of December.
By NHL rules, Bedard must miss a minimum of seven days on IR, which technically means he could return as early as Friday. But that’s clearly not in the cards.
The fact that Chicago didn’t place him on LTIR suggests they’re hopeful he’ll be back within that 10-game window. They’re not in a cap crunch, so there’s no incentive to stash him on LTIR just to free up space.
This is about Bedard’s health and timing, not roster gymnastics.
The good news? No surgery is required.
That’s a big sigh of relief for a player who’s already become the face of the franchise-and one of the league’s most exciting talents. With no operation on the table, the expectation is that Bedard’s absence will be measured in games, not months.
If the current timeline holds, he could be back around January 3, when the Blackhawks face the Capitals. That would mean missing roughly nine games, give or take, depending on how he responds to treatment and how cautious the team wants to be with his return.
There’s another layer to this, too: the Olympics. Team Canada is set to finalize its roster on New Year’s Eve, and Bedard’s injury throws a wrench into his chances of making the cut.
He was averaging 1.42 points per game before the hit-elite production for any player, let alone a teenager in his rookie season. But with no opportunity to suit up before the selection deadline, he won’t have the chance to make a final impression.
The question for Hockey Canada becomes whether they value Bedard’s offensive ceiling enough to take him while he’s sidelined, or if they opt for a more two-way option who’s currently healthy. Either way, it’s a tough break for a player who’s already shown he belongs on the international stage.
In the meantime, the Blackhawks are making some roster adjustments. They recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from AHL Rockford.
Brossoit was immediately placed on waivers-a curious move, especially considering Arvid Soderblom’s recent struggles in net. Brossoit carries a $3.3 million cap hit, which could scare off potential suitors, but if a goalie-needy team is willing to take the plunge, he might not be in Rockford for long.
If he clears waivers, Blashill said he’ll head back to the IceHogs.
Del Mastro, on the other hand, gives Chicago some flexibility on the blue line. The team can now roll with an 11-forward, 7-defensemen lineup, which might not be a bad idea given their recent issues with protecting star players. Del Mastro brings size and physicality, and while he’s still developing, he’s the kind of presence that can make opponents think twice about delivering hits like the one that sidelined Bedard.
The Blackhawks are in a tough stretch-missing their top scorer, juggling goalie uncertainty, and trying to protect young talent in a physically demanding league. But there’s a measured approach here. They’re not rushing Bedard back, they’re not making panic moves, and they’re giving their prospects meaningful NHL minutes.
For now, the focus is on Bedard’s recovery. And while the timeline is still a little murky, the signs point to a return not too far down the road.