Luke Richardson: Blackhawks Connor Bedard Likely Faces Surgical Repair For Fractured Jaw

Chicago coach had a broken jaw too, but it was caused by slapshot to his face.

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson suffered a broken jaw as a Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman. And it was nasty.

Richardson was struck in the face by a slapshot in a game against Dallas. The injury required two metal plates and 15 screws to repair, and sidelined him for five-and-a-half weeks.

On Saturday, Richardson joked that it "set off alarms and metal detectors."

Blackhawks and NHL rookie scoring leader Connor Bedard sustained a jaw fracture on Friday on a hit by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in New Jersey. Bedard's injury wasn't nearly has gruesome as Richardson's, but the second-year Chicago coach has an idea of what his emerging 18-year-old star faces as doctors treat him.

Smith's shoulder hit Bedard in the mouth area as the NHL's top draft pick of 2023 was skating between two Devils and entering the New Jersey zone on a power play. Richardson didn't think there was any "malice" on Smith's part, just bad circumstances for Bedard as the puck started to slide off his stick.

"I think it just caught him in the right spot," Richardson said. "Sometimes you have your mouth open, breathing. It's in a weak position and more susceptible to those injuries.

"Unfortunately, it was just one of those perfect worlds colliding against him and that's what happens."

Bedard will need the emotional support of his teammates and family, Richardson said. The center was having a splendid first season and was named to the All-Star team on Thursday.

And Bedard's jaw needs to be immobilized to let it heal.

"I'm assuming he would have to have some kind of wiring or protection for not a lot of (jaw) movement," Richardson said. "It's not like it used to be where it's wired tightly shut. I think they usually put crimps on the top and bottom and then they put rubber band so you can only open a little bit." See following video.

Richardson added Bedard will need to wear a cage and added head protection when he returns to practices and games because the bone will still be healing. 

Bedard should be able to skate on his own first to burn off "a lot of restless energy that he has," the coach predicted.

"Everything's evolved know," Richardson said. "They want you moving quicker, like knee surgeries and that. Once it's set, it's set, like any other bone break."