Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Connor Bedard left Monday’s 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils after taking a big open-ice hit in the first period and did not return.
The Blackhawks announced Bedard would miss the remainder of the game prior to the second period. He played four shifts and 3:05 of ice time on the night.
After the game, Chicago coach Luke Richardson didn’t have much of an update on Bedard.
“Just didn’t return to the game,” Richardson said when asked about Bedard. “We’re going to get everybody home and obviously get him them checked out at home to see if there’s anything further. So hopefully we’ll know more tomorrow.”
The injury occurred when Bedard was handling the puck through the Devils’ defense, split two defenders at the blue line and skated directly into charging Devils defenseman Brendan Smith. The force of the hit sent Bedard to the ice and he immediately grabbed for his face with his right hand. Bedard stood up, skated off the ice and went directly to the Blackhawks’ dressing room.
Bedard wasn’t the only player Chicago lost to injury Friday. Forward Nick Foligno departed the game after fighting Smith in the second period. The Blackhawks announced Foligno would miss the rest of the game prior to the third period. Foligno has eight goals and nine assists in 39 games this season.
Chicago forward Boris Katchouk thought the hit on Bedard was dirty.
“Everbody saw it’s dirty, so I think it’s dirty,” Katchouk said.
Richardson was less certain.
“I didn’t really see it too many times yet,” Richardson said. “I just saw it quick on the bench. I don’t know if it was dirty. I think Connor was reaching for a puck and didn’t see him because he was behind one of their players. I don’t think he stepped up on him. I think he just kind of stopped and Connor kind of ran head-first into him.
“I don’t think it was intent to hit or anything. I just think he was playing hard on the blue line and trying to keep the puck out on the penalty kill.”
The 18-year-old Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, was named to the NHL All-Star Game on Thursday. He has 15 goals and 18 assists in 39 games this season.
Bedard is the latest player to be added to the Blackhawks’ growing list of injuries. Their injury reserve list already included Taylor Hall, Seth Jones, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Raddysh, Anthony Beauvillier, Joey Anderson and Andreas Athanasiou.