Overview
- Sunday the 21-year-old captain shed his non-contact jersey, took part in full-contact drills and practiced at the No. 1 center spot between Roman Kantserov and Patrick Kane.
- Coach Jeff Blashill said a doctor's appointment scheduled this week will determine Bedard's official clearance and he did not rule out the possibility of Bedard playing Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
- Bedard told reporters he feels confident in his surgically repaired left shoulder and said he wants to play as soon as the medical staff gives him the green light.
- Coaches expect Bedard to immediately alter line combinations and power-play roles with the plan to slot him so Patrick Kane can move to his natural right side and to restore the team's ability to take faceoffs.
- Chicago is 1-5-0 without Bedard and has struggled to score so his return would carry big short-term impact for the franchise that made him captain and signed him to a five-year extension.