Kane’s statement addressing how fans might react to his return perfectly encapsulates that feeling. Kane, the Blackhawks, Larkin, and the Red Wings all have bigger fish to fry. The game at Little Caesars Arena will indeed be special, but it won’t solve any of the bigger issues both sides are dealing with.

“We’ll see. I mean, I guess you never know with Chicago and Detroit, right? Big rivalry,” Kane admitted, via Kalen Lumpkins of the Chicago Tribune. “But like I said, the fans were great to me there. So either way, whatever it goes, I understand, but I really loved my time there.”

Larkin’s trade request might have led to Kane’s exit

Kane has never explicitly said so, but he’s hinted at it from time to time. Moreover, the dots are too aligned not to connect. Until Larkin requested a trade out of Detroit, Kane hadn’t suggested he wanted to leave the team.

However, everything changed after Larkin’s house-of-cards-crushing decision. Not long after, Kane announced he wouldn’t be returning to the Red Wings once he became an NHL free agent.

Chicago immediately emerged as a suitor and ended up landing “Showtime,” beating out his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres, in the sweepstakes. The Hawks’ two-year, $16 million contract was simply too good for Kane to pass up and well beyond any other potential offer.

Larkin and Kane meet again

Months later, Kane and Larkin would’ve finally reunited, albeit in different uniforms, but it wasn’t to be. Even though a Red Wings update denied an imminent trade for Larkin despite his absence at practice, the former captain has been ruled out to play against the Hawks. Thus, Larkin will miss the head-to-head with the fellow American skater he might have, unknowingly, driven out of the organization with his trade request.

When Kane headed for the door in Detroit, though, he probably didn’t expect Larkin to remain untraded through October of the 2026-27 NHL season. Perhaps, had he known, he would’ve done things differently.

Key takeaways

• Patrick Kane returns to Little Caesars Arena with the Chicago Blackhawks against the Detroit Red Wings.
• A two-year, $16 million contract convinced Patrick Kane to return to Chicago.
• An imminent trade for Dylan Larkin was dismissed by the Detroit Red Wings.

Still, after the win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Jeff Blahill reminded his star duo not to take any shortcuts and play the game the right way. If Bedard, Kane, and Chicago want to keep the wins coming, they can’t afford to cut any corners. In the NHL, teams must fight for every inch of the ice and second of possession.

The Blackhawks are no exception, and in fact this is only magnified for them as they lack the offensive firepower and depth other teams boast. Thus, an all-out forechecking effort is required, and the duo of Bedard and Kane, along with rookie linemate Roman Kantserov, aren’t exempt. In case it wasn’t clear by now, Blashill reminded them after the win at home over Pittsburgh.

“When [Kane, Bedard, and Kantserov] check for their offense, they’re going to be really good. They’ve got to make sure they don’t cheat for offense,” Blashill said after the 5-3 win against the Penguins at United Center, via Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

New Chicago with Bedard back

During Bedard’s season debut, the Blackhawks finally showed signs of life in the 2026-27 NHL campaign. Bedard will be the first to take credit away from him and give it to the rest of the lineup, but that’s not completely true. There’s a reason Chicago hadn’t looked a bit like it did with Bedard back when it was missing its captain.

With his return to the ice, the Blackhawks can finally say the season is underway. Better late than never, and even if it took a long summer and seven games, the Hawks are finally complete with their star back, and shining in full force. The top line of Bedard, Kane, and Kantserov hadn’t played a single minute together, but they looked like they had been together for years. Blashill believes they have already found their identity.

“Roman [Kantserov] is very happy going to the net, so you still have a guy who will go to the net on the line. Because sometimes those kind of lines get too spread out and you don’t get any plays at the net. They did a pretty good job of doing that,” Blashill commented on the top forwards’ line.

Blashill preaches shoot-first mentality

Though the win at home over the Penguins is definitely a strong indicator of what this team can do with Bedard healthy, Blashill would still like the team to fix some areas of their game. That’s not limited to the top forward line but the whole group.

“We passed up a ton of shots. We had opportunities when we could really strike and attack and we didn’t shoot,” Blashill stated after the game.

What’s next for Blackhawks?

Hoping his Hawks will take the instructions to heart and clean up their issues, Chicago will host the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 15. Having snapped their two-game losing streak and won their second game in seven outings, the Blackhawks have reason to be excited again. Finally, No. 98 is back, and it showed.

Key takeaways

• Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill warned Connor Bedard and Patrick Kane not to cheat offense.
• Chicago beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at United Center following a two-game losing streak.
• The Blackhawks will host the Winnipeg Jets on October 15 for their next home game.

“Chicago’s Frank Nazar has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat,” the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety announced on its X account, @NHLPlayerSafety.

The league’s administration had previously informed Nazar that he was scheduled for a virtual meeting. Had it been an in-person hearing at the league’s office in New York City, Nazar would’ve faced a minimum suspension of six games.

Nazar’s hit to Horvat’s head

Nazar was caught in the eye of the storm during Chicago’s 4-1 defeat against the New York Islanders during the 2026-27 NHL season. The former first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft delivered a vicious, late shoulder check directly to Bo Horvat’s head.

Although the Isles’ captain still managed to score into an empty net and put the game away, the rest of the Islanders reacted and went after Nazar, as Horvat was slow to get back to his feet.

The incident didn’t stop there at UBS Arena after the final horn, as the NHL’s Department of Player Safety stepped in. Opinions differ on the length of the suspension, with some fans agreeing with it and others believing it wasn’t long enough.

Nazar’s suspension length

Nazar will miss the first two games of a seven-game homestand at the United Center. Nazar was suspended for Chicago’s 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes—the Blackhawks’ second straight defeat and fifth in six games this season—and will miss the Penguins game, too. He will return to the lineup when Chicago hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 15.

So far in the 2026-27 NHL season, Nazar has played in five games, scoring two goals (tied for the most on the Blackhawks) and adding an assist. His three points are the second-most on the team, underscoring the struggles in the Windy City to start the season as the Blackhawks have missed Connor Bedard.

Key takeaways

• Frank Nazar was suspended for two games for an illegal check to Bo Horvat’s head.
• The Department of Player Safety scheduled Nazar for a virtual meeting regarding the hit.
• Frank Nazar scored two goals and has three points across five games this season.

The Blackhawks’ latest injury update on Bedard appeared to remove all mystery surrounding his return date, and it pointed toward Oct. 13, when the Blackhawks host the Penguins at the United Center, being Bedard’s first game of the 2026-27 NHL season.

“First game as Captain. It’s a special honor. Just looking forward to that,” Bedard admitted ahead of his first game of the 2026-27 NHL season, which will be at home in Windy City.

When was Bedard’s last game for Chicago?

In order to relive Bedard’s last NHL appearance for the Blackhawks, one must travel all the way back to April 16. In the 2025-26 season finale, the Blackhawks defeated Bedard’s good friend Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks by a final score of 5-2.

In an interesting meeting between two former first overall selections, Bedard finished the night with a pair of assists and was named the second star of the game in the comeback victory, rallying from a deficit to score five unanswered goals, while Celebrini went scoreless and finished with a plus/minus of -3.

Why was Bedard sidelined?

Since then, Bedard has been named the 38th captain in franchise history, but he hasn’t made his official on-ice debut as captain because he has spent the past few months rehabbing from offseason left-shoulder surgery. Still, Bedard has defied the Blackhawks’ original timeline.

At the time of the procedure, the club in Chi-town announced a four-month timeline for Bedard’s return to action, but he’s now back much earlier than expected. As Bedard will play against Pittsburgh on Oct. 13, he will return to the ice 97 days after his mid-summer surgery on July 8.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard is active to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 13.
• His last NHL game was a 5-2 win over San Jose on April 16.
• Connor Bedard is returning 97 days after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 8.

“Connor Bedard is ‘trending’ toward playing [Tuesday, Oct. 13] vs Pittsburgh, Jeff Blashill says,” Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on his X account.

It was a long time coming for Bedard, who had more than once spoken his truth amid his rehab journey, and had been making progress in various fronts before his return was (apparently) finally signed off by doctors and the Blackhawks’ coaching staff.

What better game to be back than against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, the exact same matchup Bedard made his NHL debut back in the fall of 2023.

Bedard was ready, but needed final confirmation

Asked about his thoughts after shedding the non-contact jersey for the first time in practice, Bedard made it clear the ball wasn’t on his side of the court. Just like Patrick Kane had put pressure on the Blackhawks to re-activate Bedard, the young star voiced a firm statement on his progress, as well.

If it were up to him, Bedard would’ve been back on the ice a long time ago. Even if it’s been to Chicago’s detrimental record-wise, it’s a good thing he wasn’t. In the end, the patience exercise has paid off, and the wait is finally over—and worth it— for the 38th captain in franchise history.

“I feel really good. I feel pretty normal for the most part. It’s obviously on [the doctors] who know to let me play,” Bedard stated, via NHL.com, about his recovery from shoulder surgery.

Bedard could join Kane upon return to lineup

“I will be as vague, and tell you guys, as little as possible. Keep saying day by day,” Bedard said it after Monday’s practice, before Blashill revealed that playing the next day was very much in play. It’s not as if Chicago did a great job covering its tracks, though, as many speculated that Bedard could be back. The fact that he attended regular practice for two straight days may have been telling enough.

“Bedard skating with Kantserov and Kane again. Certainly looks like the Blackhawks are preparing for him to play [Tuesday],” Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago reported.

Thus, Bedard’s return game may not have been the only information leaked; which line he’s set to join may have been revealed, too. With the Hawks in need of a spark, it looks like Blashill is going down the nuclear route, playing Bedard on the same line as Patrick Kane and rookie Roman Kantserov.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard is trending to return from shoulder surgery on Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
• Bedard was cleared for contact after shedding his non-contact jersey in team practice.
• Bedard skated alongside Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov during drills.

Bedard himself is tired of sitting around when he feels he can be on the ice with the rest of his teammates. The captain has made that crystal clear time and again in the first weeks of the NHL campaign, and it looks like he’s finally reaching the light at the end of the tunnel. His return to the lineup may be coming soon. For Bedard, though, it can’t come soon enough.

“Connor Bedard is no longer in a black non-contact jersey. He’s joining the team for practice,” as reported by Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720 on X. Bedard hadn’t been cleared for contact since his offseason surgery to repair his left shoulder.

“Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill said Connor Bedard has a doctor’s appointment this coming week. Once that happens, they’ll get a better sense for a possible return date,” as reported by Roumeliotis.

What it means for Bedard’s injury update

The Blackhawks have yet to make any official changes to Bedard’s original injury timeline. At the time of his summer surgery, the team announced a four-month window for the star’s return. That timeline, which puts his return somewhere in between October and November, remains unchanged even after Bedard’s latest sighting at practice without a non-contact jersey.

According to reports, Bedard is back on the ice with no restrictions on how much contact he can take, but he isn’t fully in the clear yet. “Sounds like Connor Bedard has been cleared for some practice contact, but not a full go just yet,” Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago wrote on X.

Chicago is keeping Bedard safe a little longer

It makes sense, and it wouldn’t be wise for the Hawks to toss their franchise player right into the lion’s den unprotected, especially as the team has lost five of its first seven games of the NHL season.

Frustration is building in the Windy City, practices will get more intense, and Bedard may not be quite ready to return to the ice with hits and checks flying around. Still, he’s inching closer. His team needs him back, but at full capacity, and Bedard needs to be back for his own good, too.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard practiced without a non-contact jersey as his return to Blackhawks lineup nears.
• Chicago maintains four-month recovery timeline for Connor Bedard following his offseason shoulder surgery.
• Reports state Bedard is cleared for practice contact, but not full contact.

It’s clear the Blackhawks need Bedard back in the lineup as soon as possible. The terrible 0-3-0 start to the NHL regular season paints a clear picture, and Kane wasn’t above admitting they could really use Bedard back. Of course, he understands Chicago’s careful approach, but he did put pressure on the Blackhawks regardless.

“Obviously we know how big [Bedard] is to our team and how much he means to our team. He looks good to me. We’d love to have him back as soon as possible,” Kane said, via Charlie Roumeliotis on X. “You want him to take care of himself though and make sure he’s good for the rest of his career, but, yeah, we definitely miss him.”

Bedard may not play on Kane’s line

Making his first appearance in a team practice since undergoing left-shoulder surgery over the summer, Bedard’s participation in team drills may hint at who he may play alongside once he’s cleared to return to NHL action.

On that note, it may be discouraging for fans to learn that Bedard wasn’t on Kane’s line during rushes. Sporting a non-contact jersey, Bedard instead alternated with Teuvo Teravainen to fill in on the second line alongside Anton Frondell and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Bedard has history with Bertuzzi, Frondell

In more ways than one, it makes sense. Before the Hawks really made an effort to help out Bedard with a better supporting cast, he and Bertuzzi kept what little hopes there were in Chicago alive. Bedard and Bertuzzi have a lot of chemistry together, and it makes sense why the young captain could be used next to the veteran alternate (not named Kane).

As for Frondell, the rookie center did play a couple of games with Bedard last season, and it appears Jeff Blashill wants to see what more he can get out of that partnership, which may very well be the blueprint for the future in Windy City.

Bedard will have to wait a bit more

Still, many would’ve liked to see Bedard next to Kane. The time will come when the Hawks will use that combination, but for now, they would rather balance their lineup. Or at least test out their options.

Bedard still hasn’t been cleared for contact. Until that river is crossed, his return to the lineup will remain on hold, and all the talk about where he should play and who should be around him won’t mean much. It’s all conjecture.

Key takeaways

• Patrick Kane praised Connor Bedard’s recovery, saying he looks good and is missed.
• Chicago Blackhawks are off to a 0–3–0 start to the regular season.
• Bedard alternated on the second line during practice rather than skating with Kane.

Thus, Bedard may have no other choice but to take things into his own hands and put in the work. He was already doing that, but he’s now taken a big step in the right direction.

Right before the team’s first home game of the NHL campaign against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 6 at the United Center, Bedard was on the ice for team practice, marking his first time group session since undergoing offseason surgery on his left shoulder.

“Looks like Connor Bedard is joining the Blackhawks for practice. That’s a new step forward,” Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago reported on his X account.

Bedard’s participation in first practice back

For as much talk as has surrounded the Blackhawks in the offseason and the revamped expectations set on the club ahead of the new season, they haven’t shown much in their first three outings. Off to a terrible 0-3-0 start, perhaps having Bedard back on the ice—even if only in a black non-contact jersey while staying off the ice when the team went through contact drills—may help raise the flagging spirits in the Windy City.

In his first practice with the team, Bedard participated in line rushes alongside Anton Frondell and Tyler Bertuzzi, who, along with Teuvo Teravainen, play on the second line. According to Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720, he rotated in and out with “Turbo.” Sneak peek much?

Bedard’s timeline remains unchanged despite progress

As to when exactly Bedard may be cleared for contact, that remains uncertain. The same applies for his recovery timeline, which for the time being remains the same as the original four-month plan, putting Bedard in for a return in late October-November.

“Blashill says he doesn’t know yet when Bedard will have an exam that will clear him for contact,” according to Ben Pope of Chicago Sun-Times. Still, the Hawks won’t belittle what was an equally encouraging and massive box checked as Bedard skated with the rest of the team and went through non-contact drills.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard participated in Blackhawks group practice for the first time since shoulder surgery.
• Chicago is off to a 0–3–0 start to the NHL regular season.
• His return timeline remains set for late October or November.

Connor Bedard is missing today’s game against the Utah Mammoth because he is recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder. Bedard injured his left shoulder during a practice session in Vancouver on July 2.

The Blackhawks already made their season debut and loss that game 2-5 against the Golden Knights. Hence, they are missing Bedard already. Now, they face the Mammoth, that haven’t played a game so far this season.

When is Bedard coming back?

Connor Bedard does not have a firm return date, but he is expected to miss at least the first month of the season and return around November. He has traveled for the Blackhawks’ road trip and is skating and shooting on his own, making a November return the current baseline expectation barring any setbacks.

Given that Bedard signed a massive 5-year, $75 million contract extension, he is locked in as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. However, if he is not able to play, he is leaving the team without its best player.

Bedard is quite the difference-maker

He led the young core with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games last season, proving he drives the team’s offensive output. Bedard simply excels at too many things. He has a generational wrist shot, elite hockey IQ, and exceptional ability to create offensive space.

Roman Kantserov and Frank Nazar are stepping up to fill the offensive and center voids. While they are not bad players, it’s clear that there is a downgrade in production without Bedard.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard will miss the game against Utah recovering from left shoulder surgery.
• Bedard signed a 5-year, $75 million extension to remain the franchise’s centerpiece.
• After losing 2-5 to Vegas, Chicago faces a Mammoth squad making its season debut.

During the Blackhawks‘ first game of the 2026-27 NHL season, and Kane’s first game back with the team, the three-time Stanley Cup champion was joined on the top forward line by youngsters Oliver Moore and Roman Kantserov, who was making his league debut.

The line’s average age was 26.7 years, and that was brought up by 37-year-old Kane playing next to 21- and 22-year-olds. However, they couldn’t produce much. Thus, Blashill has now changed things up across the Blackhawks’ lines.

As reported by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago showed new lines in practice after the loss to the Golden Knights in Las Vegas. Kane was joined by veteran and fellow alternate captain Tyler Bertuzzi (31) and rookie Anton Frondell (19).

Changes all over the lineup

Frondell had played alongside Bertuzzi on the second line on opening night, along with Andrew Mangiapane, who is out with a lower-body injury. As for Moore and Kantserov, they have been split up.

Moore is now on the third line with Frank Nazar and Ryan Donato, while Kantserov was moved down by Blashill to the second line, centering a line with Teuvo Teravainen and Nick Lardis.

Tough night for Chicago’s first line

Though Kane scored a goal to momentarily trim the Hawks’ deficit to 3-2, his goal was unassisted, and his linemates couldn’t get much going. While Moore was playing in his 61st NHL game, Kantserov was making his pro debut in North America. Not even Kane, with 1,370 games under his belt, could help the inexperienced duo against last season’s runners-up, the Golden Knights.

Clearly, something must change for the Hawks. Indeed, they must work on their turnovers and limit the number of odd-man chances they give up, but it will also take a different formula. And Blashill wasted no time doing so, as he’s already experimenting with different combinations after only one game in the 2026-27 NHL campaign.

While Bedard let Blashill and the Blackhawks know his true feelings about being sidelined, Chicago won’t rush him back. For the time being, it will be trial and error until Blashill finds the perfect lines in Windy City, and with Bedard out of the picture, the team may be in for more misses than hits.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Jeff Blashill reshuffled the lines following a loss to Las Vegas.
• Patrick Kane is on a new top line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Anton Frondell.
• Kane scored an unassisted goal to reduce Chicago’s deficit to 3-2.

Having recently been named team captain and entering a crucial season in which Chicago finally has real aspirations, it’s easy to see why he won’t want to miss a single moment. Bedard is joining the Blackhawks, though Blashill set the record straight, for the first road trip of the season, but he won’t practice or play, and that simply won’t cut it for the young leader who’s anxious to get back on the ice.

Asked whether his original timeline is still standing and if he will indeed miss the first month of the new NHL season, Bedard didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts. The captain’s statement is one Blashill will definitely get wind of, though the bench-boss remains committed to listening to the medical staff’s careful approach.

“I don’t know [if I will be out a month]. I’m doing what I can, [my left shoulder] feels really good,” Bedard admitted during an interview with What Chaos! “I’m out there, doing basically everything on the ice. So, who knows? It’s obviously not really up to me in the end. I would play right now if I could. A lot smarter people make that decision, but we’ll see, just do what I can on a day-to-day.”

Blackhawks clear the air around Bedard’s timeline

When Bedard suffered the offseason injury to his left shoulder and underwent surgery to repair it, the Hawks announced a four-month timeline for Bedard to be fully healthy again. That meant Bedard, who was injured in July, would be able to return to the ice in November. However, general manager Kyle Davidson has put that timeline into question, too.

“Davidson says he doesn’t have any update to Connor Bedard’s return timeline yet,” as reported by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. “All along, we were going to find out new information, if anything, probably in October,” Davidson admitted, per Ben Pope. “Until we have that…”

For the time being, Bedard will have to wait a little longer, even if he is growing sick and tired of being kept in bubble wrap by Blashill, Davidson, and the Blackhawks when he feels he’s ready to go.

Bedard’s injuries in Chicago

Entering the first season under his new, five-year, $75 million contract extension ($15 million AAV), Bedard wants to be out there on the ice as much as he can for the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, Bedard has been forced to miss time with injuries several times throughout his still-young NHL career.

First, Bedard broke his jaw during his rookie year, being sidelined for roughly six weeks, and missing 14 games. The injury also cost him an appearance at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, which the former first overall pick had earned an invite to.

During his sophomore year in 2024-25, Bedard was able to stay healthy all the way through, completing his first—and only—82-game campaign. With the regular season extending to 84 games, Bedard likely won’t ever finish with such a mark and be able to call it a perfect year.

Lastly, Bedard suffered what he called a “freak injury” to his right shoulder and ended up missing 13 games that season. For a second-straight season, Bedard will miss some games. Exactly how many? That remains a mystery.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard expressed subtle frustration over being sidelined for at least one month.
• General manager Kyle Davidson stated the return timeline remains uncertain until October updates.
• A five-year, $75 million extension marks the start of the captain’s new contract.