Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard's injury absence has pulled back the curtain on what this roster really is and what it isn't, giving fans a stark look at both short-term struggles and long-term questions. Bedard's creativity and scoring were the engine of Chicago's offense, and without him, that engine sputters badly.
Through 31 games this season, Bedard has 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points, pacing the Blackhawks offense.
Since his his upper-body injury in December, Chicago has gone 0-5 and scored just eight goals in those outings, results that underline how much of the team's identity has been built around him.
The roster was always young, but without a true second driver of offense, the thin supporting cast is being exposed. Veterans like Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky provide decent depth, yet neither can consistently generate offense on their own.
That overreliance on Bedard's dynamic playmaking has left little room for complementary scoring when he's off the ice. Chicago's recent 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings was a glaring example of how raw the group is without its talisman.
The Hawks managed shots but lacked possession, rhythm, or sustained pressure in the offensive zone, issues that were masked while Bedard was in the lineup. Young forwards like Nick Lardis and Frank Nazar have been given bigger roles, yet they aren't ready to replace a generational talent's impact night in and night out.
Roster depth matters without Connor Bedard for Blackhawks
There's a clear fan sentiment that Bedard's injury isn't the only problem; it's a symptom of a team still being built. Chicago's early-season optimism has turned into a cold reminder that simply having a star doesn't cover over systemic flaws.
Without Bedard, Chicago is struggling to generate consistent offense and has dropped games it might've competed in when he was healthy.
The Blackhawks now need more than hope that Bedard returns soon. They need depth scoring, structure on offense when their best player isn't on the ice, and perhaps a rethink of how they balance youth with experienced contributors. This stretch without Bedard could define how the Hawks address roster construction from here on.