NHL Rumors: Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Out 6-8 Weeks After Surgery for Jaw Injury

Chicago Blackhawks rookie sensation Connor Bedard reportedly could miss up to two months of action after suffering a jaw injury.

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Bedard underwent surgery to repair his fractured jaw on Monday and is slated to miss between six and eight weeks.

The Blackhawks placed Bedard on injured reserve last week after he left the team's 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 5 after taking a hit from Devils defenseman Brendan Smith.

In the wake of Bedard leaving the game, there were several skirmishes and fights the rest of the way, as his Blackhawks teammates sought retribution for Smith's hit.

Bedard has essentially been the lone bright spot this season for a struggling Blackhawks team that has the second-fewest points in the NHL with 26.

The 18-year-old Bedard was considered the slam-dunk No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, and he has not disappointed, as he leads Chicago in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33).

He also leads the team in average time on ice among forwards at 19:04 per game, which speaks to his importance to the squad in the embryonic stages of his career.

Bedard is the clear Calder Trophy favorite, which is given to the NHL's Rookie of the Year each season, as he leads all debutants in goals, assists and points as well.

Bedard is the Blackhawks' lone All-Star Game representative, but since the game is set for Feb. 3 in Toronto, he will not be medically cleared to participate.

Because the league mandates that every team has at least one player in the All-Star Game, one of Bedard's Blackhawks teammates may replace him, but the options are less than ideal.

Outside the star rookie, the Blackhawks' leading scorers are 24-year-old Philipp Kurashev (eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points) and 28-year-old journeyman Jason Dickinson (14 goals and seven assists for 21 points), either of whom would be considered among the lowest-end All-Stars in recent memory.

Ultimately, the All-Star Game is just an exhibition and the Blackhawks aren't going anywhere this season with or without Bedard, but a lengthy absence is simply bad for the sport of hockey due to the excitement fans have gotten out of watching him.

A return some time in February is not out of the question if Bedard progresses quickly, but Blackhawks games could be hard to stomach until then.