Bedard returns to lineup early vs. Penguins
Chicago Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard is back in the lineup Thursday for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, his head coach Luke Richardson confirmed.
Bedard in for Reese Johnson. He'll skate with Foligno and Kurashev to start. No ice time restrictions "unless he turns the puck over," Luke Richardson quips.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 15, 2024
Bedard was cleared yesterday, took contact on battle drills with the scratches this morning.
Bedard's return comes earlier than expected. He hasn't played since suffering a fractured jaw off a hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith on Jan. 5. The youngster underwent surgery a few days later and was given a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. Richardson said in late January that Bedard would miss at least six more weeks.
Bedard ended up missing 14 games and the Blackhawks went 3-10-1 without him in their ranks. Despite the missed time, he still leads Chicago with 33 points in 39 contests.
He also paced all rookies in points for most of his absence, but Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber tied him with a two-point effort Monday. Bedard's 15 goals are still the most out of all first-year players.
The Blackhawks sit last in the league with a 14-36-3 record.