After an unfortunate shoulder injury during offseason training, the Chicago Blackhawks will be without their superstar to start the season.
Connor Bedard has now had three injuries in his young career. Speculation is swirling about his long-term durability. With both shoulders now injured, Bedard may struggle to play 70+ games per season consistently. That’s not to mention the jaw injury from his rookie season.
Regardless of the implications for Bedard’s future, there is a silver lining. The Blackhawks will be forced to play without him, and they will have the entirety of training camp to develop the right mindset. This could very well allow some of the other youngsters to shine and lead a shorthanded Blackhawks roster.
This could also push the front office to get a bit more aggressive on acquiring established talent. Whether it’s via trade or free agency, there are several external options the Blackhawks could vet. Regardless, the primary question is simple: Who will fill the gap left by Bedard in the first chapter of the 2026-27 campaign?
Frank Nazar
One of the very first draft picks of the rebuild. Nazar has been fine, and with his sophomore season behind him, it should only be up from here. His Swiss Army Knife play style makes him an obvious candidate, as he can impact the game in a variety of different ways. With the right wingers, such as Roman Kantserov and Tyler Bertuzzi, Nazar could unlock a new part of his game in an elevated 1C role.
The name of the game for Frank is availability. He too has dealt with some unfortunate injuries, but nothing he can’t bounce back from. Another offseason of development, both physically and skill-wise, should help him stay on the ice this season. Additionally, Nazar is a serious candidate for the Alternate Captain position—certainly something to think about when looking for someone to step up.
Anton Frondell
Should the Blackhawks be betting on a rookie to fill a massive gap? No, probably not, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be in the mix. Frondell plays a responsible yet productive game and the Blackhawks seem committed to transitioning him to center. With the right fit, a Calder trophy discussion and some seriously great hockey could be in his near future.
Frondell is a player the Blackhawks would certainly have to surround with solely veterans. Again, Tyler Bertuzzi seems like an option here if not with Nazar. Patrick Kane, who is apparently gauging a return to the Windy City, would also be an excellent fit. Oliver Moore or Ryan Greene could also work with Frondell as they continue to acclimate to the professional game.
Patrick Kane
Speaking of which, it might be ‘Showtime’ again soon. Realistically, Kane’s ceiling is only shrinking. Can he produce at the same rate as Bedard? Well, considering he hasn’t eclipsed 60 points since his last full season in Chicago, it’s seriously doubtful. In fact, if not for his status as a franchise legend, this signing may not even be in the question. For him, a role will always be available at the Madhouse.
What Kane does provide is a legit offensive motor. Even at 37 years old, Kane’s playmaking touch persists and would be a reliable option for a young team looking to improve. Also, if the goal is to replace Bedard momentarily, bringing in Kane would at least get the masses excited about the team once again. The old No. 88 jerseys tucked away in closets would certainly return to the backs of Chicagoans after over four years.
Bowen Byram
Who says a defenseman can’t step up? The Blackhawks mortgaged plenty to get him, so he very well could be the guy. Byram’s game has always been offense first. It’ll be interesting to see how his game evolves in a larger role on a young, inexperienced team. If paired with a shutdown defenseman like Vlasic, Bo could have a chance to take more risks on the offensive side of the puck.
Byram’s strengths are in his exits and entries and he’s among the league’s best defensemen in that area. The issue is that exiting or entering requires all five players on the ice to get on their horses and become an option. For Byram to be successful, the offense needs to be there for him. Again, a guy like Kane would be an excellent outlet. Moore also seems to have the transition game down very well.
Other Contenders
Moore was great at the World Championships, so much so that Matthew Tkachuk gave him major props on his podcast. He’s starting to use his speed more meaningfully than before, which will open up opportunities everywhere. Several guys could work alongside Moore, but Nick Lardis could be the perfect fit.
Lardis caught a lot of flak. After putting up video game numbers in the OHL, it seemed like he had a difficult time acclimating to the NHL. He left many points on the board, yet still scored 10 goals in a 41-game rookie season. A 20-goal pace for an undersized rookie winger is really impressive, and pairing him with a playmaker like Moore could work wonders for both.
Some options remain via trade. The price on Matthew Knies is high, but his name stays in circulation. Alex DeBrincat has been mentioned, although the recent resignation of Steve Yzerman in Detroit complicates that rumor. The Blackhawks are said to be open and, if anything, prepared to make a splash in the trade market during the season for an impact forward.
There Are Reasons for Optimism
Although the loss of Connor Bedard objectively makes the Blackhawks worse, it could end up being a blessing in disguise. With three months to go before opening night, the team has time to prepare for the inevitable. They have plenty of opportunities to practice and get into the new Bedard-less mindset.
Ultimately, the future is unknown, now more than ever. If anything is for sure, it’s that somebody has to arrive, internally or externally, to make up for the loss of their cornerstone player.
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