Connor Bedard took another meaningful stride toward opening his season Sunday, joining the Chicago Blackhawks for a full-contact practice after recovering from left shoulder surgery. The captain wore a red jersey, worked through battle drills and five-on-five action, and said the on-ice test left him feeling close to game-ready.
There is still no declared return date, with medical clearance remaining the final hurdle, but Bedard did not rule out being available when Chicago hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins at United Center on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Coach Jeff Blashill said the club needs more information from Bedard’s upcoming doctor appointment before setting anything in stone.
“It was a good step,” Bedard said after practice. “I got to take contact, compete in the drills and play five-on-five. I felt really good.” He expects to meet with the medical staff soon and determine which game makes sense for his return.
The 21-year-old underwent surgery shortly after injuring his shoulder during a Vancouver training session on July 2. He had been back skating with teammates since Monday, though he was protected in a non-contact black sweater until Sunday’s session.
Bedard said the conditioning work has been as important as testing the shoulder itself. He spent two months off the ice immediately following surgery, then had to rebuild his hands, timing and skating endurance. Sunday provided the sort of game-speed repetitions he had been waiting for, and he said his shot and overall feel have largely returned to normal.
Top-line role waiting for Bedard
During line rushes, Bedard returned to his familiar spot at center on the first unit, between Roman Kantserov on the left side and Patrick Kane on the right. Bedard welcomed the chance to get some practice touches with Kane, who recently joined the group and has impressed him early. Bedard also referenced Kane’s first home appearance, listed for Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
One difference from last season is that Bedard expects to handle faceoffs immediately when he is cleared. A right shoulder injury suffered on a faceoff against the Blues on Dec. 10, 2025 kept him out for 12 games. He returned against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 9 but did not resume taking draws until Feb. 26 versus the Nashville Predators, when he went 8-for-16.
Chicago can use its No. 1 center. The Blackhawks have opened 1-5-0, and Blashill stressed that Bedard’s value extends beyond his production because the club is especially young down the middle and on defense. Even at 21, Bedard brings considerably more NHL experience than many players around him, Blashill said, calling him one of the League’s elite talents.
Bedard has already carried Chicago’s scoring load through his first three NHL campaigns. The first overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft owns 75 goals and 128 assists for 203 points in 219 games, leading the Blackhawks in points in each of those seasons. Last year, he established personal bests with 30 goals, 45 assists and 75 points.
He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2023-24 and was named Chicago captain on Sept. 15, with Kane and Tyler Bertuzzi chosen as alternate captains. 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.
Bedard said he wanted to be in the lineup for opening night, but understands that a second shoulder issue in consecutive seasons requires patience. He has continued daily rehab and training, and his message after the full-contact session was straightforward: once the doctors sign off, he believes he will be ready to go.
