Dec 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates to the bench after scoring a goal during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard suffered season-altering injury

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 3:27 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks were hanging around the final wild card spot in the Western Conference before Connor Bedard suffered a shoulder injury in Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Following a 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday (minus Bedard), the Blackhawks are 13-13-6 before playing at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Chicago is now three points away from the San Jose Sharks for the final wild card spot.

On Tuesday, news surfaced about what type of shoulder injury Bedard is dealing with. It’s not good for the Blackhawks hopes of making the postseason.

Chicago Blackhawks C Connor Bedard has separated shoulder

Per Kevin Weekes of ESPN, Bedard suffered a separated shoulder.

“**Injury Update** Per sources, I’m told the injury sustained to @NHLBlackhawks young star F Bedard, is a separated shoulder,” Weekes posted on X.

**Injury Update**
Per sources, I’m told the injury sustained to @NHLBlackhawks young star F Bedard, is
a separated shoulder. #HockeyX #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/HkJzlRp4wK

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) December 16, 2025

On Monday, Chicago placed Bedard on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12. However, the team does not plan to bring back the third-year center anytime soon.

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said the team would not reevaluate Bedard until after Jan. 1. Fortunately, Bedard will not need surgery, but he’s going to be a big miss for a while.

Bedard is the team’s leader in points (44) with 19 goals and 25 assists. Tyler Bertuzzi is Chicago’s No. 1 point leader with 26 points coming from 16 goals and 10 assists.

Chicago will play seven more games before the New Year. All seven opponents have winning records. The Blackhawks next 10 opponents have winning records. The next time Chicago will play a team with a losing record will be the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 7.

Given the way Chicago handled its business without Bedard on Saturday night, the season is likely lost due to Bedard’s separated shoulder.

Dec 12, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) faces off against St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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