If there's a minute of free ice available for Bedard, it seems like the recovering Blackhawks rookie is out there.
Connor Bedard wasn't supposed to clench his broken jaw too hard, but everyone can see the 18-year-old Chicago Blackhawks center chomping at the bit.
In plain site. There's no keeping him off the ice.
The NHL's No. 1 draft pick of 2023 and "next generation talent" has been living up to his reputation as a rink rat, albeit one with world-class puck skills and hockey sense. Bedard's persistent. Maybe obsessive.
He needs to be on frozen water, like a fish needs to be in the liquid kind.
It's been almost five weeks since Bedard, the NHL's leading rookie scorer was injured on an open ice hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith on Jan. 5 in New Jersey. He had surgery to set the jaw a few days later in Chicago and the Blackhawks announced a six-to-eight week recovery timeline.
Bedard was on the ice at the team's practice facility, mostly alone and wearing a full polycarbonate face shield, a week after the procedure. He's been nibbling away for more skating time ever since, sliding into slots on one of two sheets at the Fifth Third Arena on Chicago's West Side.
Earlier this week Bedard was up to practicing full-fledged one-timers.
All along, he been juggling the puck on the forehand and backhand sides of his Sherwood Rekker stick's blade, as if to practice a new rendition of the lacrosse style or "Michigan" goal he scored at St. Louis on Dec. 23.
Blackhawks Returned to Action on Wednesday Against Wild: Lost Fifth Straight
On Wednesday, Bedard was on the ice at the United Center well before the Blackhawks morning skate prior to a 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild later in the evening. Wearing a green jersey, he was on and off between drills that might have exposed him to contact or too much pressure on his jaw.
In Toronto during the All-Star break, Bedard told rightsholder Sportsnet he felt good and was raring to return. He just had to wait on medical clearance. See the story in the link.
Coach Luke Richardson reiterated the decision was up to doctors, not Bedard or the coaching staff. See video.
Chicago's game against the Wild is its first since a 1-0 loss at Calgary on Jan. 27. The late 8:52 CT puck drop accommodates TNT's schedule.
Tyler Johnson Returns
Chicago will have veteran forward Tyler Johnson back in the lineup. The 33-year-old has been out since New Year's Eve when he broke toes on his right foot.
Johnson said he slammed his foot into the boards hard while backchecking, an injury Blackhawks "trainer emeritus" Mike Gapski told the forward he hadn't seen since the days of leather skates.
Chicago has scored just 10 regulation or overtime goals in its last 10 games, while going 2-8-0. The Blackhawks have been shut out three times in dropping their last four straight.
Without Bedard and several other injured skilled forwards, Johnson and Richardson say the best solution is going hard to the net, absorbing abuse, fighting for territory and focusing on finishing.
Johnson, who has nine goals this season, knows about gritty goals. He score two at Dallas on Dec. 29, 2023 — the last time Chicago got a point on the road. See video.
Richardson wants to see his team bury chances at the net. He says the Blackhawks are getting enough looks. See video.