Report: Blackhawks signed Bedard despite major injury concerns

Connor Bedard entered the NHL carrying expectations that few players in hockey history have ever faced. Selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard was immediately viewed as the franchise cornerstone tasked with leading one of the league's most recognizable organizations back to contention. Individually, he has lived up to much of the hype, capturing the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year and developing into one of the league's most dangerous offensive players. However, the early stages of his career have also been interrupted by a series of injuries that have prevented him from putting together a completely healthy campaign.

Bedard's first significant setback came during his rookie season when he suffered a fractured jaw after taking a hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in January 2024. The injury forced him to miss 14 games and temporarily halted what had been a spectacular rookie campaign. While he returned without appearing to lose any confidence or offensive creativity, the injury served as an early reminder that even generational talents are not immune to the physical demands of the NHL.

His injury troubles continued during the 2025-26 season. Bedard missed 12 games after suffering a right shoulder injury during a faceoff against the St. Louis Blues in December. Although he returned to finish the season with a career-high 75 points in just 69 games, the shoulder injury raised questions about his long-term durability, particularly because his aggressive style often puts him in vulnerable positions against bigger, stronger opponents.

Unfortunately for both Bedard and the Blackhawks, another shoulder injury arrived before the 2026-27 season even began. While skating during an offseason workout in Vancouver, Bedard injured his left shoulder badly enough to require surgery. The procedure is expected to keep him out for approximately four months and will cause him to miss the start of the regular season. It marks the second shoulder injury of his young NHL career in less than a year, making durability an unavoidable storyline moving forward.

Despite those concerns, Chicago made its commitment clear by signing Bedard to a five-year, $75 million contract carrying a $15 million annual average value. The deal reflects the organization's belief that he remains one of hockey's elite young superstars and the centerpiece of its rebuilding efforts.

It is fair to wonder, however, whether Bedard's injury history influenced the structure of the agreement. Before his latest shoulder surgery, many around the league believed an eight-year contract was the obvious outcome. Instead, both sides settled on a five-year term.

While neither Bedard nor the Blackhawks has suggested injuries dictated the negotiations, the shorter commitment could provide protection for both parties. Chicago avoids assuming the maximum long-term risk associated with multiple significant injuries before Bedard's 21st birthday, while Bedard preserves the opportunity to sign another massive contract during his prime if he proves he can stay healthy.

If Bedard returns from surgery and puts together several healthy seasons, the contract could ultimately become one of the NHL's biggest bargains. But until he demonstrates that these injuries are isolated incidents rather than the beginning of a troubling trend, questions about his durability will continue to follow one of hockey's brightest young stars.