Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks’ key player and 2023 first overall NHL draft pick, will be sidelined for approximately four months following surgery on his left shoulder, team officials announced Wednesday. The procedure, performed successfully by Hawks team physician Michael Terry, is expected to keep Bedard off the ice until early to mid-November, more than a month after the NHL season’s scheduled start on September 29.

Bedard sustained the injury last Thursday during an offseason skating session in Vancouver involving other NHL prospects and players, including Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson, Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains, and San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni. Video footage of the incident shows Bedard losing his balance, falling into the boards, and leaving the ice clutching his left shoulder.

This marks Bedard’s third significant injury since being drafted by the Blackhawks. Last December, he injured his right shoulder in a game against the St. Louis Blues but opted against surgery, missing about a month of play and returning at less than full strength. Bedard also suffered a broken jaw during his rookie season. While the injuries are considered unrelated and attributed largely to unfortunate circumstances, the recurring nature of his health issues poses concerns for the team.

Bedard, known for his commitment to playing through adversity and aggressive recovery efforts, has previously returned ahead of medical projections. Whether he will be able to accelerate recovery this time remains uncertain, with comparisons drawn to Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, who was ruled out for four to six months following shoulder surgery. The Hawks emphasize the importance of full rehabilitation to preserve Bedard’s shoulder strength—critical for his distinctive and highly effective shooting technique—over rushing his return.

Bedard is currently a restricted free agent, with contract negotiations ongoing amid heightened attention following Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson’s recent offer sheet signing with the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the injury and surgery, sources indicate the Hawks’ salary-cap flexibility and Bedard’s strong relationship with the organization reduce the likelihood that his absence will substantially impact contract discussions.

The Blackhawks face a challenging start to the 2026-27 season without their standout forward. Analytical projections have soured following the news, further dampening expectations for significant short-term improvement. The team struggled during the period following Bedard’s previous shoulder injury last season, finishing with a losing record in his absence and experiencing a downturn in his individual scoring performance even after his return.

In light of Bedard’s absence, the Hawks plan to deploy forwards Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell as the first- and second-line centers, despite questions about their suitability to those roles. The team’s offseason acquisitions have yet to add proven top-six forward support, intensifying pressure on young players and veterans alike. The organization is also relying on promising rookies such as winger Roman Kantserov and developing players Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, and Ryan Greene to contribute offensively. Veteran winger Tyler Bertuzzi and new top defenseman Bowen Byram are expected to play key roles as well.

While the Hawks had anticipated Bedard’s leadership in their quest for playoff contention, the recovery timeline underscores the need for patience and depth development as the franchise prepares for both the upcoming season and the longer term maturation of its core players.