Connor Bedard Expected to Play Tonight vs. Penguins

Per Roumeliotis, Blashill is “preparing for him to play.” It isn’t official until the doctors sign off, but it lines up with what Blashill said after Monday’s practice, when he told reporters Bedard was “certainly trending toward being a coach’s decision,” and ESPN reported there are no longer medical hurdles to his return. If he plays, the captain makes his season debut when the Hawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) at the United Center on CHSN.

Bedard, 21, has been working back from surgery on his left shoulder, which he hurt during an offseason skate in July. He began skating with the team in a non-contact jersey on Oct. 5, was taking faceoffs after morning skate on Saturday, and shed the non-contact jersey at Sunday’s practice, per Chicago Hockey Now. He has not played in a game since last April.

Getting him back would be a big lift for a Chicago team that has been searching for offense down the middle. He would likely center the top line with Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov, the combination Blashill has used in the last two practices. Keep an eye on warmups tonight for the final confirmation.