Blackhawks' Connor Bedard to make return just six weeks after breaking jaw
Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard is returning to the ice on Thursday for the first time since he broke his jaw on Jan. 5.
The Blackhawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins as they try to snap a seven-game losing streak. Because of the All-Star break from Feb. 1-3, it's been nearly a month since Chicago last won on Jan. 19.
ESPN's Emily Caplan notes the team planned for Bedard to return next week. On Jan. 23, Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson suggested he was far from appearing in a game.
"It was six to eight weeks at the beginning was what was said, so, like, I don't know; you're never going to know, but talk to me in a month... He's not going to be back by then," Richardson said.
The injury occurred when Devils forward Brendan Smith collided with Bedard on the attack after he sliced between two New Jersey defenders.
Bedard's accelerated recovery timeline is a surprise, but it's certainly welcomed.
The Blackhawks (14-36-3, last in Western Conference) were 3-10-1 during his absence, scoring 1.5 goals per game, including eight games scoring 0-1 goals.
Despite missing Chicago's last 14 games, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft leads all rookies in goals (15) and total points (33).
Per Action Network, Bedard (-250) still has a firm grasp as the favorite to win the 2023-24 NHL Calder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the league's best first-year player.
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