Connor Bedard was back on the ice at the Blackhawks Ice Center this week for the first time since undergoing left shoulder surgery in July, and the footage alone was enough to get fans talking.
Bedard’s recovery timeline was pegged at approximately four months following the surgery, which put his expected return somewhere in early-to-mid November. But after fans posted clips on X showing him skating on his own and doing some light shooting, plenty of people started wondering if he might beat that timeline after all.
“Maybe he’ll be back sooner than we think,” was the reaction from more than a few fans watching the footage.
Connor Bedard back on the ice
Others were quick to pump the brakes on that idea. “Definitely taking it very easy on the shoulder. Barely touching the puck, lightest ‘passes’ possible. Makes sense though!” one fan wrote.
Another pushed back harder on the optimism entirely: “Um no need to take less time off. If the Hawks couldn’t win a game without him, then having him back wouldn’t change much. Recovery is never linear; feeling good today doesn’t mean the athlete is indeed ready for the games. I hope they take the conservative approach.”
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Plenty of fans also pointed out the gap between a light solo skate and actual game action. “Receiving light passes is a lot different than getting rocked into the boards,” one comment read. Another added, “I kind of hope that he doesn’t come back sooner than we thought. November feels like a good time frame for our little glass boy.”
That last nickname isn’t unearned. This marks the third significant injury for Bedard in three calendar years, following a fractured jaw as a rookie and a separate right shoulder injury last December that cost him 12 games. The Blackhawks have yet to issue any official update on his status beyond the original four-month timeline, and there’s no indication training camp or contact drills are imminent.
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