How Connor Bedard’s Return Could Transform the Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson has often said he wants to model the roster after teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, aiming for their level of play—and who wouldn’t? Those clubs have captured the Stanley Cup in each of the last three seasons.

On October 10, the Blackhawks learned that aspiration is easier said than done, falling 5‑1 to the Hurricanes in a game that never felt close. The only bright spot was the absence of Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar; Nazar was serving a two‑game suspension for his hit on New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat.

Shortly after that loss, Chicago announced that Bedard has been cleared to play and will make his 2026‑27 debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 13. His return provides a much‑needed spark that could help steady a disappointing 1‑5‑0 start.

Bedard Is Back

During the offseason, Bedard suffered a fall while training in Vancouver. The incident turned into a freak accident; he skated off the ice in visible distress, clutching his left shoulder. Later reports revealed he needed surgery and would miss the start of the regular season—a disappointing setback after an otherwise promising offseason for Chicago.

Bedard enters this season coming off a career‑high 75‑point campaign in 69 games. In 2025‑26 he aggravated his right shoulder on a faceoff against the St. Louis Blues in December, forcing him to sit out 12 games. That injury did not require surgery, so he returned after roughly a month.

Bedard’s impact became evident in his absence. Without the team’s top‑line center, the Blackhawks’ structure collapsed and they struggled badly. He will debut after signing a $75 million contract and must produce immediately to get the “let’s‑finish‑the‑rebuild” effort back on track. Bedard knows he needs to shift the direction of the team, and he intends to do just that. Over the remaining 78 games, he is expected to average at least a point per game—perhaps more—while playing alongside Roman Kantserov and Patrick Kane.

Can the Blackhawks Get Back on Track?

There is no denying that Chicago has struggled through the first six games. Their sole victory came in the home opener against the St. Louis Blues at a raucous United Center, and even that win now looks like a fluke. The schedule does not ease up; a upcoming six‑game homestand features the Penguins, Jets, Canadiens, Stars, and Panthers. The silver lining is Bedard’s return, which should provide a boost.

Early in the season it appeared head coach Jeff Blashill had not settled on a coherent system. The roster looked flat overall. The defense had trouble moving the puck out of its own zone, often pinching when it should have backchecked, resulting in virtually no offense and being outshot by large margins. Goaltender Spencer Knight was frequently left to fend for himself, forced to make spectacular saves just to keep the team in contention.

Blashill repeatedly shuffled the lines, reminiscent of last season’s approach, placing players such as Bowen Byram and Patrick Kane on their off‑sides for both defensive and power‑play duties—a tactic that failed. Recently he seems to have settled the pairings: Byram is back on the left side and Kane has returned to his accustomed spot on the right wall for the power play. Bedard will resume his previous position on the left wall, giving the Blackhawks a left‑right combo of Bedard and Kane that should be entertaining to watch.

None of these adjustments will matter if the underlying systems—or lack thereof—remain unchanged. Chicago needs to establish a consistent style of play and keep line combinations stable for more than a single shift to develop chemistry. If nothing changes, even a player of Bedard’s caliber may not be enough to turn things around. Attention will inevitably shift to the coaching staff, whose hot seats will only grow warmer; ultimately, Bedard, while a significant asset, is just one piece of a larger organization.

Making the playoffs remains a long shot, but competing fiercely every night is a necessity for the Blackhawks moving forward.

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