Connor Bedard in Blackhawks Lineup Versus Red Wings in Loss at Detroit on Sunday

Bedard led Chicago forwards in ice time with 20:52 and took four shots, but Chicago was drubbed 6-1.

Connor Bedard skated in his first road exhibition game on Sunday night as the Blackhawks were drubbed 6-1 by the Red Wings in Detroit.

The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 centered a line with speedy Andreas Athanasiou, a former Red Wing, and Taylor Raddysh on the wings. Bedard also worked on a power-play unit with Lukas Reichel, Chicago's No. 2 forward prospect.

Not much went well for the Blackhawks in this one, even if Bedard flashed his skill a few times. See the nifty play in the link: https://x.com/CRoumeliotis/status/1708634546877382669?s=20

Bedard led Chicago forwards with 20:52 of ice time and took four shots.

But coach Luke Richardson wasn't pleased with his team's effort, especially defensively. See the video below:

"I think it was good to maybe give Double-A (Athanasiou) and Raddysh a try with Connor tonight," Richardson said before the game. "I thought Raddysh played well last night (five shots in 3-2 OT loss at Minnesota) and he's a heavy shooter, so it makes sense to kind of try that."

Bedard played in his second preseason contest after debuting on Thursday against St. Louis and assisting on both Chicago goals — including Athanasiou's game-winner — in a 2-1 overtime victory. 

Richardson said it will might be useful to expose Bedard to the Blackhawks-Red Wings Original Six rivalry in a road contest.

"I think like I said before, he just wants to play hockey," Richardson said. "I don't think he really cares where it is. When he's on the ice, he's gonna's feel most comfortable."

Bedard's linemates from last week, Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato, stayed in Chicago.

"It's good to try to play with new guys and kind of see who you have chemistry with and stuff," Bedard said after the morning skate. "It's fun."

Forward Sam Savoie remained hospitalized in Minnesota following surgery for a serious thigh injury he suffered in Chicago's 3-2 overtime loss to the Wild on Saturday.

Savoie's junior team, the Gatineau Olympiques, said in a post on Sunday morning the 19-year-old underwent a successful operation on his femur. He'll be out for an indeterminate time and re-evaluated regularly.

Blackhawks team physician Michael Terry confirmed the surgery in a statement shortly before Sunday's game. Terry said he expects Savoie to make a full recovery, but provided no timetable.

The Blackhawks will take Monday off. But Chicago probably will reduce its roster, assigning players to junior and minor pro teams.

Defenseman Nolan Allan and forwards Antti Saarela, Marcel Marcel and Michal Teply were sent to AHL Rockford on Sunday. Forwards David Gust, Mike Hardman and Brett Seney were placed on waivers and should be assigned to the IceHogs if they clear.

"It's a good time to, especially these last two days, and evaluate like almost every players... other than the guys who are hurt now," Richardson said.

Winger Philipp Kurashev remains out day-to-day with a "banged up wrist."