Chicago Blackhawks have long-term concern with Connor Bedard’s injury

The Chicago Blackhawks have yet to sign restricted free agent Connor Bedard to a new contract, and there is some concern surrounding the center’s health for the future amid a new shoulder injury.

Last week, Bedard suffered a left shoulder injury while practicing in Vancouver. It was the second shoulder injury Bedard had since December when he missed 12 games due to a right shoulder injury.

On Wednesday, the Blackhawks revealed Bedard had “successful” surgery on his left shoulder, but he is not expected to return to the ice for approximately four months, which means he won’t start the regular season.

During an appearance on 670 The Score on Thursday, Frank Seravelli told the “Mully & Haugh Show” that while Chicago has not provided a definitive answer, there is a worry Bedard could have shoulder issues in the future.

“I don’t know if he could be genetically predisposed to some weird shoulder thing that he has either managed or this is now getting to the top level in the sport just come to show its face,” Seravelli said. “That obviously raises a concern, and I’m with you.

“Like my push, if I were the Blackhawks, I would have been. I know that you rehabbed the last one and came back stronger and didn’t have any issues to close out the season. Also, you weren’t really the same player that you were the previous year, and I think also previous to the injury.”

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In addition to having uncertainty about his shoulders, Chicago will not be able to develop Bedard this offseason, which could hurt his progress in Year 4. It could be a wasted season for the Blackhawks and Bedard.

“The other thing that this raises is like now taking out a full summer of training, which he obviously used for rocket fuel last summer,” Seravelli said. “What does that do to change his overall expectations for his production this season?

“Because I mean, history has shown when you don’t have a full summer or anything close to resembling one, generally it takes you a really long time to catch up. Like that would be my biggest concern: is that part of this season might be a write-off for Conor Bedard, and that’s the last thing you want.”

The situation is not ideal for the Blackhawks and the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. Chicago hoped to make a push for the playoffs this season with a young core, but this second shoulder injury is a setback that is worrying about the team’s prospects beyond the 2026-27 season.

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