Update: Connor Bedard left behind as Blackhawks travel for Canadian road trip

The Blackhawks' cornerstone center was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NHL this season, and his absence injects real concern into Chicago's schedule.

Bedard was hurt in the final seconds of the 3-2 loss to the Blues, when Blues center Brayden Schenn collided with him after a faceoff and Bedard fell awkwardly, clutching his right shoulder as he skated off the ice.

NEW: Connor Bedard opens up on shoulder injury, hopes to return soon for Chicago Blackhawks

Head coach Jeff Blashill called the play a «freak accident» in his postgame comments, and Bedard was immediately ruled out for Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, where they took a 4-0 loss.

Chicago opted to hold Bedard back as the club prepares for a three-game eastern Canada road swing that includes stops in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.

Management and medical staff wanted to get a clearer picture from MRI results before risking further harm to their franchise centerpiece.

A clearer update is expected Monday, but for now Bedard will remain in Chicago while his teammates travel.

The Blackhawks have struggled at times this season, currently sitting around a .500 record as they chase a Wild Card spot, and losing the league's top scorer for any stretch is a big blow.

Bedard's 19 goals and 44 points through 31 games have him among the NHL's elite
in scoring, and he's been the engine that powers Chicago's top line.

Fans have been visibly worried since the update landed, flooding social media with hopes for a short recovery and some urging the team to take all necessary care with their young star. Bedard's vision and pace are rare at his age, and the Blackhawks' offense without him will look markedly different, as showcased in Satruday's shutout loss to the Red Wings.

The Blackhawks called up a forward from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs to help fill the void, and that player will rotate into top-nine minutes and see some power play time in Bedard's absence. There's a real test ahead for Chicago's depth, as the team has to find ways to support its scoring without its best weapon on the ice.

For now, the focus is on keeping Bedard healthy and getting a detailed diagnosis early this week. Chicago can ill afford a long layoff for a player so central to its identity, but smart, cautious handling of his recovery has been the message from the organization.