Category: Blackhawks

Greg Boysen's latest column digs into Connor Bedard's first game back from offseason shoulder surgery, a return that came about a month early and snapped Chicago out of a 1-5-0 start with a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Connor Bedard picked up an assist in his season debut, after missing six games following offseason shoulder surgery, as the Blackhawks beat Pittsburgh 5-3 at the United Center.

All CHGO's Greg Boysen looks at Alex Vlasic, whom Kyle Davidson pegged early as a core piece of the rebuild and who, at 25, is now Chicago's second-most experienced defenseman behind partner Ian Cole.

All CHGO wrote Monday that, coy answers aside, Connor Bedard looked all but certain to make his season debut against Pittsburgh after two days skating on the top line and first power-play unit without restrictions.

Bedard is trending toward a Tuesday debut, and the power play is where he should help most. He'll work the left flank on the top unit so Patrick Kane can move back to his usual right side, giving the Hawks two one-timer threats and pushing Anton Frondell to the second unit.

Connor Bedard practiced Sunday in a regular jersey, took light contact without issue and centered the top line between Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov.

Two young centers, rookie Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar, are logging nearly as much shorthanded time as the Blackhawks' checking forwards.