Connor Bedard Nears Return After Taking Light Contact at Blackhawks Practice

Overview

• Bedard shed his no-contact jersey and skated in a regular red jersey on Sunday, taking light contact in drills and participating in line rushes without reported issues.
• Coach Jeff Blashill said a follow-up medical exam this week will set a firm first-game date and he would not completely rule out Bedard for Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.
• At practice Bedard skated as the Blackhawks' first-line center between Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov, signaling where he would likely slot when cleared to play.
• The Blackhawks are 1-5-0 with a 1-for-14 power play to start the season, which has increased urgency for Bedard's return given he led Chicago with 75 points last season.
• Bedard, the 21-year-old captain who signed a five-year, $75 million extension in July, would reshuffle faceoff duties, power-play roles and other forwards' ice time if he returns.