Blackhawks coaching staff issues injury announcement on Connor Bedard after shoulder scare Friday vs. Blues

The team confirmed Bedard is out for Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering an upper body injury. Chicago avoided any timetable, which instantly escalated the concern.

Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 44 points in 31 games, and the former first overall pick's efficiency drives nearly every five-on-five push for the Blackhawks.

Head coach Jeff Blashill called it a 'freak accident' originally.

Now, we get an update that appears more promising than before.

Blashill added an intriguing wrinkle, noting Bedard was hurt before the Brayden Schenn collision. But that wasn't all.

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Blashill echoed that Bedard will 'at least be out for tonight,' which does not come off as a long-term injury.

The Blackhawks did recall a replacement for Connor Bedard from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs earlier in the day, though.

The latest update from Blashill himself:

Many fans believed Schenn delivered a clean hit, and Blashill's comment reinforced that perspective, calming a situation that briefly sparked familiar online outrage.

The other side of fans have taken deep shots at Schenn, many taking things way too far, to the point where we cannot display the messages.

The coach's statement also hinted at how Chicago may adjust. Without Bedard, the middle six needs more direct rushes and quicker weak-side support. That tactical shift mirrors the approach used during his short injury absence last season when the club tightened its neutral zone spacing.

Blashill's postgame remarks circulated quickly, drawing attention because they contradicted early assumptions and softened the noise around Schenn's involvement.

Chicago said only that Bedard is unavailable Saturday, and no further detail is expected until medical evaluations continue. The team has managed injuries with caution this season, especially with young core pieces.

If the Blackhawks want to tread water while their franchise center recovers, they need cleaner breakouts and more controlled touches from their top defenders. The next update matters, but the calm tone today offers at least a small measure of relief.