Connor Bedard’s return to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup could come Tuesday night, with the captain moving closer to his season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at United Center. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET, and Bedard took part in another full practice Monday as Chicago looks to halt a 1-5-0 start.
Bedard trending toward a return
Coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard’s status would be settled after the club’s morning skate, but the center has put himself in position to play.
“We still have the morning skate, but he is moving in the direction of potentially being available,” Blashill said Monday.
- Bedard underwent left-shoulder surgery after suffering an injury during an offseason workout in Vancouver on July 2.
- He rejoined the Blackhawks on skates Oct. 5, initially wearing a jersey that kept him out of contact drills.
- Sunday marked his first full practice of the season, and he followed it with another complete session Monday.
- If cleared, the 21-year-old is expected to center Chicago’s top line between Roman Kantserov on the left side and Patrick Kane on the right.
Bedard said he feels capable of doing everything required in a game, including putting his shot on display.
“I feel like myself again — shooting, all of it,” Bedard said Sunday. “You always want to be in there. I wanted to be ready for the opener, but you also have to make sure it is safe. There are a lot of good people helping me every day, and I’ve been working to get back as quickly as I can.”
He added that the final call will come when the medical and training staff believe the shoulder is fully ready.
Faceoffs will not be held back
Bedard said he expects to take draws immediately if he gets the green light against Pittsburgh. That would be a change from his previous shoulder-related absence.
Last season, Bedard missed 12 games after hurting his right shoulder on a late faceoff against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 10, 2025. He returned against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 9, but Chicago did not use him regularly in the circle until Feb. 26 versus the Nashville Predators. In that game, he split 16 faceoffs, winning eight.
Chicago needs its top scorer back
The Blackhawks selected Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he has been their leading scorer in each of his first three seasons. Through 219 NHL games, he has produced 75 goals and 128 assists for 203 points.
- Bedard won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2023-24.
- He set personal NHL highs last season with 75 points, 30 goals and 45 assists.
- Chicago named him captain on Sept. 15.
- At 21, Bedard became the second-youngest captain in franchise history, behind Jonathan Toews, who was 20 years and 79 days old when he took the role and wore the “C” from 2008 through 2023.
With five losses in six games, the Blackhawks could use the lift their captain brings at both ends of the rink. Tuesday’s morning skate will determine whether Bedard is ready to make his first appearance of the season against the Penguins.
