The Chicago Blackhawks will be missing Connor Bedard for the rest of 2025. The Blackhawks have placed Bedard on the injured reserve, retroactive to December 12, the team announced. The young star center will be eligible to return on December 19, but he will miss more time with an upper-body injury.
Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill announced that Bedard will be out until at least early January. As of now, Chicago and Bedard are not considering surgical options. A firmer timeline for Bedard’s return won’t be determined until the New Year, as the sides are focused on his rehabilitation period.
Bedard suffered a likely shoulder injury in a last-second faceoff against the St. Louis Blues on December 12. The Chicago center was in significant pain as he left the ice. Now, the Blackhawks are poised to be without Bedard for a few weeks.
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks’ outlook after injury
Bedard, the team’s points leader, will be a massive loss for the Blackhawks. In 31 games, Bedard has 19 goals, 25 assists, and 44 points in what has been a breakout season. The 20-year-old star was on pace for a 100-plus point season, but that might be derailed after his upper-body injury.
Chicago currently sits fifth in the Central Division with 32 points, as the points gap to the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues to widen. The Blackhawks are three points out of a Wild Card spot, but losing Bedard will only hurt their chances over the next few weeks.
Frank Nazar, who hasn’t registered a point in 11 days, will be tasked with stepping up in Bedard’s place. It has been a slow two weeks for Nazar, who was hot to start the 2025-’26 NHL season. The 21-year-old center will slide into the first line while Bedard continues to heal.
Bedard hopes to come back sooner rather than later, but Chicago must face the possibility of a longer absence. If the Blackhawks want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will need Nazar to find his groove and hope that Bedard isn’t out deep into the New Year.
