The Chicago Blackhawks have received distressing news regarding Connor Bedard, their star center, who is expected to miss four months following left shoulder surgery after an offseason training injury. This setback occurred during a recent on-ice training session, where Bedard suffered a hard fall and exited in visible pain.

This marks the second shoulder injury for Bedard in just a few months; he previously missed 12 games due to a similar injury against the St. Louis Blues last December. Over his first three NHL seasons, Bedard has missed at least 13 games in two seasons, and now he will face an extended absence at the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

According to the team's timeline, Bedard is slated to return by early November, but with the NHL reducing its preseason and expanding to 84 regular-season games, he will miss a significant portion of the early season. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and showcasing his potential with 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games last year, injuries and a lackluster supporting cast have hindered his ascent to elite status.

The Blackhawks, having made a notable trade for Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres, hoped to see their rebuild progress in the upcoming season. However, Bedard's injury complicates their plans, as they have not reached the playoffs since 2017 and finished 31st in the league last year with a 29-39-14 record.

With questions surrounding Byram's capabilities and the team's overall depth, the Blackhawks face a challenging start without Bedard. The franchise is banking on the development of young prospects like Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and Oliver Moore, but their combined experience is limited.

Although Bedard was set to take another leap forward, his injury could delay his growth as he adjusts to a new coach and system. The Blackhawks now face critical questions about their ability to remain competitive without their star player, and while they may find some relief in reduced offer sheet risks for Bedard, general manager Kyle Davidson must act swiftly to secure a contract extension for him.