Has Connor Bedard given the Chicago Blackhawks fresh hope with his return to the ice this NHL 2026-27 season

Connor Bedard was back on the ice for individual skating Monday, a good sign for the Chicago Blackhawks following his recovery from surgery on his left shoulder. The 20-year-old center skated on his own Monday at the Blackhawks Ice Center, another step in his rehabilitation.The development is especially notable because Chicago had earlier indicated Bedard would require about four months to recover from surgery. The injury occurred July 2 in an off-season workout in Vancouver, and the original timeline had him out until about November.Connor Bedard return lifts Blackhawks expectations The individual skating session should not be read as any indication that Bedard is ready to return to NHL game action. Rather, it’s a positive milestone on the road to rehabilitation for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are expected to take a measured approach with their franchise center.That he’s already able to skate, even if it’s relatively early in the recovery process, is nevertheless a positive sign for his progress. The Blackhawks still have to decide when he’s ready for contact, full practices and then competitive games.The timing also comes as Chicago prepares for a season of rising expectations. In each of his three NHL seasons, Bedard has been the Blackhawks’ top scorer, and in 2025-26 he had a career-high 75 points in 69 games.Connor Bedard remains central to Chicago’s NHL playoff hopesBedard’s health is particularly important to those ambitions, with the Blackhawks looking to take another step toward playoff contention heading into the offseason. The team has not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons, including all three of Bedard’s first three NHL seasons.The Blackhawks have been preparing for his absence with players like Frank Nazar, Roman Kantserov and Tyler Bertuzzi expected to step up with more offensive responsibilities early in the season. Bowen Byram is also expected to chip in some more offence from the blue line.With Bedard’s recent history, it’s a development to keep an eye on. He missed 12 games last season with a right shoulder injury and missed 14 games as a rookie after breaking his jaw. The left shoulder is the site of the injury this time.The immediate concern for the Blackhawks is still making sure Bedard gets himself back right, not rushing him back. His latest skating session is a welcome NHL injury update, but when he eventually gets back into game action will depend on how the shoulder responds through the next stages of rehab.Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard makes a return to the ice after left shoulder surgery, an encouraging update on his recovery. The young star is still on track for a potential return in November, but there is optimism from his latest skating session.Bedard’s health will be critical to Chicago’s NHL playoff hopes as the franchise enters the 2026-27 season with rising expectations.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.