Chicago Blackhawks star center Connor Bedard will miss the start of the 2026-27 NHL season after undergoing left shoulder surgery on Wednesday. The team announced Bedard is expected to make a full recovery in approximately four months, meaning he will likely be sidelined for at least the first month of the season, which begins in late September.

Bedard sustained the injury during a training session in Vancouver. The 20-year-old forward, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and the reigning Rookie of the Year, led the Blackhawks with 75 points and 30 goals in 69 games last season. He has accumulated 203 points in 219 career games.

The surgery and subsequent recovery period complicate contract negotiations for Bedard, a restricted free agent. His absence is a significant blow to the rebuilding Blackhawks, who have struggled in recent years, finishing 31st in the league for the past three seasons. The timeline also comes amidst news of other young centers signing large contracts, such as Leo Carlsson's reported $18 million average annual salary.