Banged-up, depleted Chicago officially can't practice this week, but Bedard and other injured players will skate. And could the NHL's leading rookie scorer turn up in Toronto?
Connor Bedard returned to the ice on Jan. 15, only a week after surgery to stabilize his broken jaw.
The 18-year-old rookie has been ramping up non-contact skating at the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility ever since. But his team officially is on hiatus though Feb. 4 as part of its bye week and the NHL All-Star Break.
Bedard can't clench or put too much pressure on his surgically set jaw, fractured on an open-ice hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in New Jersey on Jan. 5. The center can't bang around or exert himself taking hard shots.
The injury not only knocked Bedard out of the Feb. 3 NHL All-Star Game, but its skills competitions. Still, coach Luke Richardson hinted the league might want to bring its leading rookie scorer to Toronto to showcase him somehow.
Other Injured Blackhawks
Two other injured Blackhawks forwards, Tyler Johnson (right foot) and Anthony Beauvillier (left wrist), might be good bets to join Bedard on the ice at the Fifth Third Arena in Chicago this week as they near returns.
Forward Andreas Athanasiou has been sidelined since Nov. 9 with a mysterious core condition the team has called a "groin injury." Defenseman Connor Murphy has been out since Jan. 16 with a "groin injury" as well. Their timelines haven't been discussed by Richardson.
NOTE: NHL teams often label several core injuries, including hip flexor/(ilio)psoas problems, as "groin." If you've played the game enough — or been a skater, cyclist, athletic dancer, etc. — you may know first-hand. Psoas problems can be multifaceted, tricky and debilitating. You can't perform and these can lead to serious spinal and hip damage. Former Blackhawks 50-goal scorer Al Secord was one of the first NHLers to address the condition accurately.
Forward Taylor Hall, out since November following right ACL surgery, has been rehabbing off the ice. He's shared some clips on social media.
Guttman, Crevier To AHL Rockford
Chicago rookie forward Cole Guttman and defenseman Louis Crevier were assigned to Rockford of the AHL on Sunday, Jan. 28 for needed playing time.
The rest of the Blackhawks need a break. Despite playing with structure and energy, they haven't been able to score. See Richardson's comments in the video and linked story following Chicago's 1-0 loss at Calgary on Saturday.
The Blackhawks have scored just 10 goals in their last 10 games, despite "playing the right way" and terrific goaltending from Petr Mrazek. They're 2-8-0 in the span.
Even Richardson is heading off to Napa Valley, California. The former NHL defenseman will maintain his balance of training and a splash of wine in a fresh environment for the week.
Richardson is getting away from a team that can't win away from the United Center. Chicago's loss to the Flames was its team record-setting 20th straight road defeat.
The Blackhawks haven't won on the road since a 5-3 win over the Lightning in Tampa Bay Nov. 9, 2023. That was Bedard's first multi-point game in the NHL, as the rookie racked up two goals and two assists.
Hall and Athanasiou sustained their injuries in that contest.