Bedard Leaves Blackhawks Game with Injury

Connor Bedard's Injury

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks suffered an undisclosed injury during the first period of their 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The incident occurred when Bedard was hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith at 10:42.

Bedard was skating into the offensive zone when he was checked by Smith in the slot. He left the ice, holding his hand against his mouth. Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson stated that Bedard will be evaluated on Saturday after the team returns to Chicago.

While it is unclear whether Bedard sustained a concussion, Richardson mentioned that the trainers did not confirm it. They will wait until they can thoroughly examine Bedard upon their return to Chicago.

Bedard's Contribution to the Blackhawks

Connor Bedard, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has been a key player for the Blackhawks this season. He leads the team in scoring, with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 39 games. Bedard's outstanding performance earned him a spot in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.

Lindy Ruff, the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, commented on the incident, stating that it was an unfortunate hit and that there was no intention to harm. Ruff emphasized the importance for young players to be aware of different areas on the ice to avoid such collisions.

Injury Woes for the Blackhawks

The Blackhawks faced further setbacks during their five-game road trip. In addition to Bedard's injury, forwards Taylor Raddysh (groin), Tyler Johnson (foot), and Anthony Beauvillier (wrist) also suffered injuries. Nick Foligno, another forward, did not play in the third period due to an undisclosed issue.

Blackhawks coach Richardson expressed concern for the injured players and mentioned that they would be taken to specialists upon their return to Chicago for further evaluation.