Blackhawks' Connor Bedard injury update from Sports Doctor sparks concern after facing Blues Friday
Connor Bedard's shoulder injury has sent worries through the hockey world, with a respected sports doctor outlining a likely timeline and treatment plan that could sideline the Chicago Blackhawks' star center for multiple weeks.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard has been a driving force for the Blackhawks this season, and this setback comes at a critical time for Chicago.
On Friday night Bedard left the ice favoring his right shoulder after a faceoff late in the game against the St. Louis Blues, and he was ruled out of Saturday's matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.
Coach Jeff Blashill called the injury a «freak accident» and declined to speculate on exact timelines beyond saying more would be known Monday and that he would be missing their next game against the Detroit Red Wings.
Dr. Harjas Grewal, a sports medicine specialist, weighed in early Saturday afternoon on what the injury likely is, explaining that the symptoms are consistent with either a shoulder dislocation or a subluxation, which is a partial dislocation.
In his assessment he noted that while players sometimes require surgery after shoulder dislocations, it is not common on a first injury like this. Instead, the standard care for Bedard is immobilization followed by rehab before a return to play.
Bedard's shoulder is likely dislocated or subluxated.
The prognosis outlined by Dr. Grewal suggests Bedard is set to miss several weeks, a span that would be felt deeply by Blackhawks fans given his 44 points so far this season and role as their top offensive catalyst. The 20-year-old center leads the team offensively and ranks among the league's top scorers.
Recovery from a first-time shoulder dislocation generally revolves around protecting the joint with a sling, gradually restoring range of motion, and strengthening the muscles around the shoulder to prevent recurrence.
Surgery is usually reserved for recurrent instability or associated structural damage, not the initial injury. That makes Dr. Grewal's comments encouraging in context, even if any absence will be tough on Chicago's lineup.
Here's the doctor's assessment of Bedard's injury and likely care plan:
If Bedard's rehab goes smoothly, he could rejoin the Blackhawks mid-season and provide the boost Chicago needs. Still, any multi-week absence of a young star changes how this team will approach its next games, and fans will be watching news on his progress closely.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL |
DECEMBRE 13 | 433 ANSWERS Blackhawks' Connor Bedard injury update from Sports Doctor sparks concern after facing Blues Friday Do you think Connor Bedard's injury absence will last longer than expected? |
| Yes | 267 | 61.7 % |
| No | 95 | 21.9 % |
| Too Early | 71 | 16.4 % |
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