Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard’s season debut following offseason left shoulder surgery could come as soon as Tuesday.
Bedard, 21, participated in full-contact practice for the first time Sunday since undergoing surgery in July and is eager to return to game action.
“There’s no real official date or anything, but obviously a good step today, getting to practice with the team and feel contact and be in battle drills, 5-on-5, stuff like that,” Bedard told reporters. “I felt really good. I’ll talk to the doctors here soon and find a game.”
Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill did not rule out Bedard playing against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, but said he would wait for the results of the center’s upcoming doctor’s appointment before confirming a return date.
Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, began skating with the team Monday in a black non-contact jersey.
On Sunday, the 2023-24 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s top rookie wore a red jersey and participated in every drill.
“I was off the ice for two months (right after surgery), so it takes a couple weeks to get your hands and stuff back and trying to get your cardio back,” said Bedard, who was named captain Sept. 15. “That’s the biggest thing right away.”
He underwent surgery a few days after sustaining the injury during an offseason training session in Vancouver on July 2.
“But feel pretty good,” he said. “It’s nice to get some game-like reps today, going forward here to ramp that up. I feel really good. I feel pretty normal for the most part. It’s obviously on kind of everyone that knows (doctors) to let me play.”
Bedard practiced at his usual No. 1 center spot, flanked by Roman Kantserov on his left and Patrick Kane on his right. Kane returned to Chicago in July on a two-year, $16 million contract after winning three Stanley Cups with the team in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
In 219 games over three seasons, Bedard has 203 points (75 goals, 128 assists) and has led the team in scoring each of those seasons. In 2025-26, he posted career highs in points (75), goals (30) and assists (45).
