Blackhawks' Bedard to miss start after shoulder surgery

The Chicago Blackhawks will begin the 2026-27 NHL season without their star player, Connor Bedard, who is expected to miss approximately four months following surgery on his left shoulder. The team announced the procedure and recovery timeline on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, after Bedard sustained the injury during an offseason training session in Vancouver earlier this month.

The injury occurred when Bedard fell awkwardly near the boards during a practice, with his left shoulder absorbing the impact. The four-month recovery period projects his return to action in mid-November. This timeline means Bedard, who remains a restricted free agent, will miss at least the first month of the regular season, which is scheduled to begin in late September with an expanded 84-game schedule.

This is the second significant shoulder injury for the 20-year-old forward in less than a year. Last December, he injured his right shoulder during a game against the St. Louis Blues, causing him to miss four weeks of the 2025-26 season. The latest injury, requiring surgery, is considered more severe.

Bedard's absence is a substantial setback for the rebuilding Blackhawks. The first overall pick in the 2023...