Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard to return after 12-game absence

Connor Bedard is expected to return to the Chicago Blackhawks‘ lineup against the Washington Capitals on Friday evening, according to the man himself.

Charlie Roumeliotis

@CRoumeliotis

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Connor Bedard said he’s good to go tonight. #Blackhawks

4:55 PM · Jan 9, 2026

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The team previously placed Bedard on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12 with a shoulder injury. The forward sustained the ailment at the end of their game against the St. Louis Blues in mid-December. After taking a cross-check from Blues forward Brayden Schenn on the game’s final faceoff, Bedard fell backwards and appeared to be in immediate pain, heading straight to the locker room.

Bedard practiced with Chicago’s top power-play unit on Friday, with the 20-year-old expected to return to his No. 1 center gig. Ryan Greene previously held the position.

Through 31 games, Bedard has 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points. Despite the missed time, he remains Chicago’s top scorer, holding a 10-point lead over winger Tyler Bertuzzi. Bedard was recently left off Canada’s Olympic roster, but could still potentially be in the running to make the team as an injury replacement.

Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, has 64 goals and 108 assists for 172 points and 181 career regular-season games. He has yet to play in the NHL’s postseason, and it’s unlikely the Hawks will this year as they currently sit sixth in the chase for the first overall pick.

The Blackhawks currently sit sixth in the Western Conference wild-card race with 43 points – four behind the San Jose Sharks. The Colorado Avalanche are currently the top dog in the Central Division with a 32-4-7 record record, giving them 71 points on the season.

Chicago will welcome the Capitals to town for a 7:00 PM CT start. They’ll then travel to Nashville to take on the Predators on Saturday night before hosting Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, Jan. 12.