Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Connor Bedard’s Olympic hopes took a potential hit Monday when Chicago placed the young NHL star on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
The move is retroactive to Dec. 12 following an injury sustained with one second left in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Bedard will be sidelined at least two weeks, dealing a major blow to Chicago and his chances of making the Canadian Olympic team for February’s tournament in Milan Cortina.
Bedard was believed to be a long shot for Canada’s roster entering this season. But he made a strong case with his fast start.
Canada is expected to announce its loaded roster on Dec. 31.
Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill said Monday the 20-year-old centre will be re-evaluated in the new year, and no surgery is required.
Chicago has seven games left in 2025.
Bedard got hurt on a draw with 0.8 seconds left in Friday night’s loss to the Blues. He grasped at his right shoulder and immediately headed to the dressing room, accompanied by a trainer.
Blashill declined to get into any specifics with Bedard’s injury, sticking to his upper-body designation.
“Let’s start with the rehab and see where it goes and I’ll have a better update after that,” Blashill said.
Blashill said after the game he didn’t think anything dirty occurred on the play.
“Honestly, I think it’s a freak accident,” Blashill said.
WATCH | Can Canada’s young stars crack 2026 Olympic roster?:
Could Bedard, Celebrini or Schaefer make Canada’s Olympic roster?
Host Karissa Donkin and The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian weigh in on which of the three up and coming Canadian stars could make the men’s hockey team in Milano Cortina 2026.
Bedard leads Chicago with 44 points in 31 games, fourth in the NHL.
The 2023 No. 1 draft pick is a potential candidate for Canada at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
Chicago is hoping to replace Bedard’s production with a collective approach.
It’s going to be quite the challenge.
“It’s going to be on everybody to step up and do their part,” centre Jason Dickinson said.
“Obviously it sucks, but just need guys to step up and be able to make those plays that he’d make on a night in, night out basis,” centre Frank Nazar added.
Foligno nearing return
When it comes to Chicago, Bedard’s absence puts more pressure on Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Donato and Nazar to make the most of their offensive opportunities. Nick Lardis, who made his NHL debut in Saturday night’s 4-0 loss to Detroit, also could help out.
Captain Nick Foligno also is nearing a return from his left hand injury. Blashill said Foligno could play on the team’s road trip.
“Nobody’s going to replace Connor on their own,” Blashill said. “Collectively, as a group, one, I think we needed to do this anyway, we need to be better defensively. … We’re going to have to score those net-front-type goals, the tip-type goals. We’re not going to score from distance the way Connor can score from distance at a regular rate, so we’re going to have to make sure we’re scoring dirtier.”
Chicago also recalled defenceman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Brossoit had been in the minors on a conditioning assignment.
Del Mastro, 22, has two goals and six points in 27 career games with Chicago, which opens a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Chicago is 3-8-2 in its last 13 games
