Blackhawks' Bedard likely to make season debut Tuesday vs. Penguins

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Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard is likely to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said on Monday it was "trending toward" Bedard returning to the lineup, where he would center the team's top line alongside Patrick Kane and Roman Kanstserov. According to sources, Bedard will return if he continues to feel good through Tuesday's morning skate.

Chicago's medical team has been monitoring Bedard's progress every step of the way after he underwent left shoulder surgery in July. There are no longer medical hurdles for Bedard's return, he just needs to get through another day continuing to feel as good as he has for the last little while, sources told ESPN. The Blackhawks initially assigned Bedard a four month return. If he plays on Tuesday, that would be just over three months post-surgery.

Chicago has struggled early in the season, winning just one of its first six games. Bedard is expected to give the team an immediate boost, and should also be featured on the top power play unit, which has scored just once in 14 opportunities so far this season.

Bedard led the Blackhawks with 75 points in 69 games last season, 17 more points than his closest teammate.

It was a devastating blow for both Bedard and the Blackhawks when he injured his left shoulder during his offseason training in Vancouver. However it didn't change the way Chicago felt about the young franchise cornerstone, who was selected No. 1 in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Just 10 days after the surgery, the Blackhawks announced a five-year, $75 million extension with Bedard. Then ahead of the season, they named him the second-youngest captain in the history of the Original Six franchise.