Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard is finally set to make his season debut on Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Bedard will be in the lineup for the matchup with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. The 21-year-old center had surgery on his left shoulder back in July, but he’s been working hard in rehab to get back ahead of schedule. “It’s only been six games, but missing camp and preseason makes it feel like a lot longer,” Bedard said. “Just being back with the guys and doing what I love is exciting. I’m looking forward to getting back out there.” The Blackhawks struggled without Bedard, dropping five of their first six games and being outscored 26-12. “We’re adding a good piece, but we can’t expect him to solve everything alone,” Blashill noted. Bedard is expected to play on the top line with Patrick Kane and rookie Roman Kantserov. Meanwhile, Frank Nazar will sit out due to a two-game suspension. Bedard, who signed a $75 million contract and became the second-youngest captain in Blackhawks history, last played against Crosby in his 2023 debut. He missed 12 games last season with a shoulder injury but has no restrictions now. “You want to play your full game, so it’s nice to have practices to get into the bumps and battles,” Bedard added.
