Connor Bedard Returns to Blackhawks Practice with Positive Outlook
Connor Bedard took a significant step towards his return from injury as he participated in a partial practice session with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. The 22-year-old forward donned a non-contact jersey, but his progress is a welcome sight for the team.
"I'm feeling good," Bedard said after practice. "Hopefully, pretty soon I can get back out there." Coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Bedard will not play against the Blues on Wednesday, due to the injury he sustained in his right shoulder last December 12th. However, the Hawks are taking a day-by-day approach, which could see him return to action this weekend against the Capitals or Predators.
During practice, Bedard skated with teammate Frank Nazar, who returned to the ice after suffering a broken jaw on December 20th. While Nazar left the session early, Bedard remained and participated in drills, showcasing his shooting skills with precision and power.
"It's great to see him out there," said defenseman Alex Vlasic. "He definitely brings a little bit more energy and excitement."
Bedard has been open about his injury, stating that his initial reaction was one of frustration after suffering the injury during a game in St. Louis. However, he has taken a more cautious approach since then, following the advice of team doctors.
"We have a lot of great people working with us," Bedard said. "As a player, you just tell them you feel good and you're ready to go, but obviously there's importance in your health and everything. So I'm very lucky to have the people working with me that I do."
Bedard's absence from Team Canada's Olympic team was also discussed during his post-practice interview. While he expressed disappointment at not being selected for the squad, he took the opportunity to analyze his game and identify areas for improvement.
"The positive I've taken out of this is I get to look at my game and think about where I can improve," Bedard said. "When you don't meet one of your goals, the only thing to do is look in the mirror and see where you can get better."
Bedard's return could be a timely boost for the Blackhawks, who have adapted their style without him and earned three consecutive victories with his absence. The team faces another four-game homestand next Monday against the Oilers, and Bedard is expected to be back in action during that stretch at the latest.
As Bedard continues to work towards his return, he remains focused on making a positive impact on the team's performance. With his progress being closely monitored by coaches and medical staff, it will be interesting to see if he can overcome the injury setback and make a meaningful contribution to the Blackhawks' success.
Connor Bedard took a significant step towards his return from injury as he participated in a partial practice session with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. The 22-year-old forward donned a non-contact jersey, but his progress is a welcome sight for the team.
"I'm feeling good," Bedard said after practice. "Hopefully, pretty soon I can get back out there." Coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Bedard will not play against the Blues on Wednesday, due to the injury he sustained in his right shoulder last December 12th. However, the Hawks are taking a day-by-day approach, which could see him return to action this weekend against the Capitals or Predators.
During practice, Bedard skated with teammate Frank Nazar, who returned to the ice after suffering a broken jaw on December 20th. While Nazar left the session early, Bedard remained and participated in drills, showcasing his shooting skills with precision and power.
"It's great to see him out there," said defenseman Alex Vlasic. "He definitely brings a little bit more energy and excitement."
Bedard has been open about his injury, stating that his initial reaction was one of frustration after suffering the injury during a game in St. Louis. However, he has taken a more cautious approach since then, following the advice of team doctors.
"We have a lot of great people working with us," Bedard said. "As a player, you just tell them you feel good and you're ready to go, but obviously there's importance in your health and everything. So I'm very lucky to have the people working with me that I do."
Bedard's absence from Team Canada's Olympic team was also discussed during his post-practice interview. While he expressed disappointment at not being selected for the squad, he took the opportunity to analyze his game and identify areas for improvement.
"The positive I've taken out of this is I get to look at my game and think about where I can improve," Bedard said. "When you don't meet one of your goals, the only thing to do is look in the mirror and see where you can get better."
Bedard's return could be a timely boost for the Blackhawks, who have adapted their style without him and earned three consecutive victories with his absence. The team faces another four-game homestand next Monday against the Oilers, and Bedard is expected to be back in action during that stretch at the latest.
As Bedard continues to work towards his return, he remains focused on making a positive impact on the team's performance. With his progress being closely monitored by coaches and medical staff, it will be interesting to see if he can overcome the injury setback and make a meaningful contribution to the Blackhawks' success.
he's been thru hell & back w/ that shoulder injure & its amazing 2 c him grindin away in practice 
️ he's got the skills, he just needs 2 get back on the ice & show us what he's got 
coach blashill is doin a great job keepin it real w/ bedard about not playin 2 soon tho 
but i'm sure hed be ready 2 roll @ least by the wknd 
cant wait 4 him 2 get back & see what kind of impact he can make on the team 
Bedard's return is a great sign for the Hawks, but I'm still skeptical about him being back in time for their upcoming homestand... the injury history is a bit concerning 
. Still, it's awesome to see him out on the ice, and his positive attitude is definitely infectious 
️ i'm glad he's being realistic about his health and not rushing back too soon, but at the same time i need him out there ASAP! 
. People are saying he was gonna be a key player for Team Canada, but I think it's awesome that he took some time to reflect on his game and work on his weaknesses 
. Bedard's progress is definitely worth keeping an eye on 
. The Blackhawks are definitely benefiting from his absence, but I think Bedard's return could be a game-changer for them, especially with their upcoming homestand against the Oilers 
.
. One day he's back on ice, next he's still out with an injury 
. Can't say I blame him for being cautious though 
.
bedards been out for like 6 months already and he's still not playing yet? his team needs him ASAP or they'll fall behind in the standings 
. The fact that he's still being cautious with his injury is a good sign - we don't want him rushing back too soon and risking further damage. I'm loving the day-by-day approach taken by the coaches, it shows they're not just thinking about winning games, but also prioritizing Bedard's health and well-being 
The guy was meant to be a game-changer, and it's awesome to see him back on the ice. His attitude about being careful with his injury is super smart - you can't rush these things, right? 
his positive outlook is super inspiring & its great to see him staying focused on improving his game 
. He's been working hard and his progress is looking positive