Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is set to return to the lineup for Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals. It will be the center’s first start since Dec. 12.
Bedard partially practiced with the team Tuesday in a noncontact sweater. He skated and shot the puck with ease in his limited drills.
“(It’s) uncontrollable (getting hurt) in sports, so you try and take the time to work on the stuff you can,” Bedard said after Friday’s morning skate. “No one wants to have anything happen, but it’s a part of the game.”
Bedard missed 12 games because of a separated right shoulder suffered in a 3-2 road loss to the St. Louis Blues. Center Brayden Scheen drove through Bedard to prevent a last-second shot, and the Hawks forward skated off the ice in clear pain.
Hawks coach Jeff Blashill made it clear that he did not see any ill intent in Schenn’s play on Bedard. He labeled it a “freak accident.”
“I have a ton of respect for Schenn, I think he’s a great player (and) he carries himself the right way,” Blashill said. “It really had nothing to do with the injury.”
Added Schenn the next day: “I’m just trying to tie him up and win the faceoff to win the game. I’m not trying to hurt Connor Bedard on the last play of the game when you’re up by one goal. That wasn’t my mentality at all.”
The Hawks went 5-6-1 without their star but have put together four straight wins.
“As soon as you can get somebody (with) Connor’s ability back in the lineup, we want to get them as fast as possible without obviously putting them in jeopardy,” assistant coach Mike Vellucci said.
Bedard has 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games this season. He was making his case for the Hart Trophy before he went down with the injury.
He trails only legendary right winger Eddie Olczyk for the most goals (65) and points (180) in Hawks history before turning 21. Bedard, who turns 21 on July 17, has 64 goals and 172 points in his career.