In what has become an unexpectedly scary night for the Chicago Blackhawks, the team announced that star rookie, Connor Bedard, would not return to tonight’s game due to injury. The play in question took place during the first period, as New Jersey Devils defenseman, Brendan Smith, distributed a heavy hit to Bedard just over the blue line, causing the young phenom to head to the locker room for the rest of the evening.
For the sake of level-headedness, there could be a plethora of reasons for Chicago to keep Bedard out of the game, ranging from simply being cautionary with their top player, or expecting that Bedard could be out for a lengthy amount of time. Ultimately, it is unlikely that an update on Bedard’s status will be given after the game tonight, as most teams tend to wait until the next day to announce any meaningful news.
It is hard to put into words how detrimental Bedard’s absence would be for the Blackhawks, regardless of the amount of time he is out of the lineup. Even with only 11 wins through 38 games, Chicago’s offense completely runs through Bedard, as he has quickly shown that he was worth all of the hype.
To put his value into perspective on the Blackhawks specifically, with 15 goals and 33 points through 38 games, Bedard accounts for 17% of all goals scored, 12% of all assists, and 14% of all points scored for Chicago this season at 18 years old. With the future of the Blackhawks organization comfortably resting on Bedard’s shoulders, Chicago will likely be extremely cautious with Bedard’s health in hopes that he can be in the lineup as much as possible.
Other notes:
- The Colorado Avalanche have recalled forward Ben Meyers from the Colorado Eagles after sending him down yesterday, per a team announcement. It is unknown whether or not he will factor into the team’s lineup tomorrow afternoon against the Florida Panthers, as he has largely been used as an extra forward by the Avalanche this season.
- Unfortunately for Justin Kirkland, it will be his second consecutive emergency call-up without a game played, as the Arizona Coyotes announced they have returned him back to their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. Luckily, he has appeared comfortable in his first season in the Coyotes organization, as he’s scored one goal and 13 points in 12 games for the Roadrunners so far.
Potential minor/major NHL nightmare — Connor Bedard will be unable to attend the ASG. Brendan Smith will not be taking his place, thanks to being in the Eastern Conference. “Gary B.” was trying to make it work, until a few irate fans gave him a beatdown. I kind of wish Luke R. would’ve given “Gary” the beatdown.
Jack Hughes left the game as well. Absolute nightmare for the NHL.
And Nico for half a period. Ironically, on the only dirty hit. Jack’s is concerning, he did it himself turning so maybe a knee… hope it’s not bad
Hischer wasn’t a dirty hit. Just the result of coming after Bedard. If you come for Conor you better keep your head up. Foligno made that perfectly apparent. If the refs and the NHL won’t protect the Hawks players, 7 on IR, The Hawks have 6 or 7, 6’6″ guys who’ll take care of it. Continue at your own peril.
Hischier hit was totally dirty. The puck was in another area code and Murphy checked an unsuspecting player.
If they wanna cry about a legal hit at least go after Smith, had nothing to do with nico.
Since the beginning of the NHL if you take out a teams best player your best players better have their head on a swivel They took out out Connor so the Hawks went after Hischer. The Hawks are sick and tired of their players getting taken out by cheap shots with not even a penalty. And if you have to take out Hawks players to beat them you’re a pretty pathetic bunch of human beings. Bedard just leaned for a puck and got punched in the face. If you think that’s OK, Then you must be pathetic too. Take the consequences. After that the game was a blood bath. Deal with it. Officiating is pathetic in the league right now. Bad as it’s ever been.
Not the point. You said the hit wasn’t dirty. It was, regardless of your justification. Reckon hawks are just cry babies over a solid open ice hit, didn’t see anything but legal payback to Murphy – some nice hits in the second.
Never mind. You’re just incapable of seeing reality. He just slammed his shoulder into his jaw and fractured it plain and simple. The same thing that would have happened if he would of sucker punched a guy in the face walking down the street the other way. So who’s the crybaby? The Hawks didn’t cry they just took care of it. You’re the one who’s whining dude.
Makes sense. That’ll be why the DOPS is all over it…. moving along – I’ll enjoy crying into those 2 points and no suspensions. Enjoy life.
When did the NHL turn into a non contact sport? Why are players suppose to fight after a clean hit? Man up, learn to take a hit & maybe throw one occasionally instead of every game looking like an all-star game or figure skating competition
In about 1996 the league got soft and decided hits had to be protected by someone not considered a enforcer. Unfortunately it’s lasted til now.
Unfortunate for Bedard, the Hawks and the League but Bedard got smoked fair and square.
We’ll said buffalobob88! Shouldn’t have to fight after a clean hit. Ridiculous…
Bedard is clueless as to how to protect himself from NHL hitters. I’ve seen him taking big hits without taking any kind of defensive posture. He could have avoided the hit by Smith, or at least the head part of it, if he were better educated. That’s what his coaches should be working on above anything else. If not, someone will eventually put him out for a long time.
It’s nobody’s fault but Bedard’s own and his team.
Bigger ice would eliminate some of the close-quarters hits, but what owners would want to eliminate the first row of seats for that!
Besides many of the fans live for the violence in hockey. LOL
Hockey is boring AF on bigger ice. Soccer on skates.
It’s the smaller NHL rinks that force the action.
Well then, I guess you also like more injuries, also.
Quite possibly you have not attended or watched many games but guys get hit on the big ice as well.
It’s just funny reading all of this stuff about dirty not dirty hits .. like I said before CB’s nhl career started I stated it will only take one good hit to put a damper on his career . I hope he is OK but if he suffered a concussion then it is not going to be a great career.. and yes I think Smith did the right thing a dman has always been taught stand the rushing forward up..as he did great solid hit on a smaller forward..
gary boys from american suburbs nhl. Fight after cleans hits so star players leave themselves open for hits. That was a clean hit on Bedard.