Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Blackhawks announce terrible Connor Bedard injury news

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/7/24

Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Connor Bedard is being placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft suffered a broken jaw on Friday night following a hit by Devils defender Brendan Smith.

Connor Bedard heads to the dressing room after taking a big hit from Brendan Smith. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/YqLPT6pFNT
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 6, 2024

Chicago's announcement also includes the news that Nick Foligno was placed on IR as well.

Per NHL rules, players on injured reserve are "ineligible to compete in NHL games for a period of not less than seven days," and Bedard will likely be out longer than that.

In December, Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner suffered a broken jaw, and the team announced he was expected to miss six weeks.

Bedard's injury is a significant blow to the Blackhawks (11-26-2). He's been one of the few bright spots during their fourth consecutive losing season, leading the team in goals (15) and assists (18). It will also likely dent the All-Star festivities early next month.

The 2024 All-Star Weekend is from Feb. 1-3 in Toronto. If Bedard's recovery follows a similar timeline to Jenner's, he'll need to wait until 2025 to make his first All-Star Game appearance.

Bedard entered the NHL as one of the most hyped rookies in league history and has lived up to the hype through his first 39 games played. It will be a while until he plays his 40th.

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