Blackhawks phenom Bedard injured in loss to Devils
Chicago Blackhawks franchise cornerstone Connor Bedard was forced to exit Friday's 4-2 defeat to the New Jersey Devils after a hit by opposing defenseman Brendan Smith midway through the first period.
NOBODY TOUCHES BEDARD 😡 pic.twitter.com/wX8wgRC7kS
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 6, 2024
Here's another look at the play:
Connor Bedard heads to the dressing room after taking a big hit from Brendan Smith. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/YqLPT6pFNT
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 6, 2024
Bedard didn't play another shift in the opening frame and the Blackhawks ruled him out for the remainder of the game at the start of the second period.
In addition to Bedard's early exit, Nick Foligno left Friday's game after fighting Smith in the second period. The Blackhawks ruled Foligno out for the rest of the contest for an undisclosed reason but described it as a medical update.
Chicago head coach Luke Richardson told reporters, including the Tribune's Phillip Thompson, that the team will know more when it returns home. The Central Division squad is off Saturday before hosting the Calgary Flames in a Sunday matinee.
Blackhawks forward Boris Katchouk expressed his displeasure with Smith's hit on Bedard, saying, "Everybody saw it. It's dirty," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope. However, Richardson disagreed.
Richardson did not feel the same. "I don’t think [Smith] stepped up on him. I think he just kind of stopped and Connor ran headfirst right into him."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 6, 2024
Bedard entered Friday's action leading all rookies in goals, assists, and points. He's scored 15 times and added 18 helpers in 39 contests.
The 18-year-old earned his first All-Star nod Thursday. Those festivities will take place from Feb. 1-3 in Toronto.
The Blackhawks have been ravaged by injuries this season. They're playing without Taylor Hall, Seth Jones, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Raddysh, Anthony Beauvillier, Joey Anderson, and Andreas Athanasiou.