Chicago Blackhawks’ rising star, Connor Bedard, has been placed on the injured reserve due to a fractured jaw, as confirmed by the team. The decision came after the rookie center suffered a broken jaw during the Friday night game against the New Jersey Devils, following a forceful hit by defenseman Brendan Smith in the first period.
Adding to the team’s challenges, Nick Foligno also joins Bedard on the injured reserve with a fractured left finger, contributing to the growing list of sidelined forwards for the Blackhawks.
Seeking reinforcements in light of these setbacks, the team swiftly acquired forward Rem Pitlick from Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Despite being just 18 years old, Bedard has been a standout performer for Chicago in his debut NHL season, meeting the high expectations set after being chosen as the top overall pick in the previous year’s draft. His impressive stats leading into Saturday’s action included 15 goals and 18 assists in 39 games, marking him as the top rookie in the NHL.
Notably selected for the upcoming Feb. 3 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, Bedard’s hometown match in Vancouver on Jan. 22 may now hang in the balance as there is no immediate timeline for his return. The injury occurred as Bedard advanced into the Blackhawks’ offensive zone while in possession of the puck, receiving the impactful hit from Smith, for which no penalty was given. Subsequently, tensions rose between the teams following Bedard’s departure, leading to Foligno’s exit from the game after engaging in a fight with Smith during the second period.
Chicago, already struggling with a string of losses, has faced challenges beyond these injuries, boasting a record of 6-19-2 in their last 27 games under second-year coach Luke Richardson. Bedard and Foligno’s addition to the injury list compounds the team’s woes, joining several other key players currently sidelined. Notable absentees among the forwards include Anthony Beauvillier, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Raddysh, Joey Anderson, and Andreas Athanasiou due to various injuries, while Taylor Hall’s season has been cut short following right knee surgery in November.
The absence of Seth Jones, the team’s top defenseman, has been felt since Dec. 10 due to a shoulder injury, further exacerbating the team’s challenges on the ice. In response to the setbacks, the Blackhawks have brought in Rem Pitlick, a 26-year-old forward with experience at Nashville, Minnesota, and Montreal, accumulating 21 goals and 33 assists in 123 career NHL games. Pitlick spent the initial part of this season in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, showcasing his skills with eight goals and 16 assists in 32 games.
Looking ahead, the Blackhawks are set to face the Calgary Flames on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the United Center as they navigate these hurdles and strive for a resurgence amidst the challenging circumstances.