Blackhawks placed Connor Bedard on injury reserve and announce two corresponding moves

The young phenom's absence signals a dark cloud for the Blackhawks' offense and depth.

Bedard, the team's top scorer and centerpiece at 20 years old, suffered what coach Jeff Blashill called a «freak accident» against the St. Louis Blues Friday night, exiting the ice favoring his right shoulder. The move to injured reserve confirms the concern concern level has jumped.

Chicago will provide further clarity on his condition after practice Monday, but the timing feels ominous for a club finally trending toward relevance. Losing the 2023 first-overall pick and Calder Trophy winner would drain the Central Division's most electric offensive spark.

The Hawks didn't stop at Bedard's IR designation. Chicago recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs to add back-end depth.

Del Mastro, a 22-year-old fourth-round pick, has been a steady producer in the minors and offers size and puck-moving potential on a blueline suddenly thinner without Bedard's dynamic play driving possession up ice.

There's no sugarcoating it, Hawks fans: this feels like the moment where you cling to the next man up. The loss of Bedard isn't just a scoring gap, it's a strategic blow; Opponents can cheat less and clog the middle without him drawing coverage.

Also joining the NHL roster is goaltender Laurent Brossoit on a conditioning stint from Rockford, bringing veteran stability to Chicago's crease options as the Blackhawks navigate uncertainty between the pipes.

Rounding out the moves, Chicago made a corresponding roster adjustment to open space, aiming to balance the cap and keep competitive minutes available. The timing couldn't be tougher, with the Hawks battling for positioning and momentum in a tight Central Division.

Bedard's injury and these roster tweaks underscore just how precarious the Blackhawks' season balance is. The next update after practice Monday will be a defining moment for a team that suddenly needs heroes beyond its biggest star.