Bedard unlikely to be back in the lineup when the Blackhawks visit Calgary Jan. 27, their lone visit to the Stampede City this season
The first chance for the Calgary Flames to get a look at rookie sensation Connor Bedard will have to wait.
The Flames were supposed to face Bedard in their Sunday afternoon meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks to end their current road trip, but the league's leading rookie scorer will out of action after suffering a broken jaw on Friday.
Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, leads his team with 15 goals and 33 points in 39 games.
The Blackhawks did not announce a timeline, although broken jaws can sideline a player around six weeks.
It is highly unlikely Bedard will be back in action before the Flames play host to the Blackhawks Jan 27 — Chicago’s lone visit to Calgary this season.
Calgary also travels to Chicago on March 26, the last meeting of the season.
Bedard was injured when he took a hit from New Jersey Devils defenceman Brendan Smith as he entered the offensive zone. No penalty was called and Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said he did not believe it was an infraction, although it created plenty of animosity in the match. Smith fought veteran Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno.
Bedard was named to the all-star game on Thursday, the youngest player in league history given that honour.
The Blackhawks have experienced a horrific rash of injuries, with their top defenceman Seth Jones and forwards Taylor Hall, Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier, Taylor Radish, Joey Anderson and Foligno (who broke his finger in the New Jersey game, possibly during his fight with Smith) also currently out due to injury.
Chicago (11-26-2), which leads only the San Jose Sharks in the league standings, has lost five consecutive games and has won only twice in 13 games.