Connor Bedard injury update: Blackhawks star gets rough recovery timeline

Connor Bedard's fourth NHL season will start later than usual due to an unfortunate injury sustained during offseason training that required surgery.

On Wednesday, the Blackhawks announced that Bedard had successful surgery to repair his left shoulder earlier in the morning. The team also announced that his recovery timeline is expected to take approximately four months, putting him back on the ice for Chicago around early-to-mid November.

It's a rough blow for Bedard, who dealt with a right shoulder injury back in December 2025 that caused him to miss four weeks of the season. Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, has had just one fully healthy season back in 2024-25 after dealing with a fractured jaw in his rookie year. Despite last season's injury, Bedard posted career highs in goals (30) and points (75) for the Blackhawks as they continue to build around the star center.

Even with his mid-season return, this is definitely not the summer news the Blackhawks and Bedard were hoping for, that's for sure.

How was Connor Bedard injured for the Blackhawks?

On July 2, during a Blackhawks offseason practice, Bedard fell into the boards on his left shoulder after tripping on the ice. Bedard immediately left the ice after the injury, clutching his left shoulder in extreme pain.

I have video of Connor Bedard leaving practice today with a left shoulder injury, as first reported by @RyanmcgregorCHI. You can hear him in severe pain as he leaves the ice: pic.twitter.com/MySM1UwLht

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) July 2, 2026

What is Connor Bedard's contract for the 2026-27 season?

Right now, Bedard is a RFA with the Blackhawks as the young center looks for a contract extension with the team. Bedard technically could be tendered an offer sheet by a NHL team this summer — as offer sheet fever is buzzing this July — but it seems as if this injury will likely keep any clubs from going after the Chicago star.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Connor Bedard injury update: Blackhawks star gets rough recovery timeline