A rematch between the Connors — Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid — is on maintain as the Chicago Blackhawks center hit the IR with a broken jaw.
Bedard, the NHL’s prime rookie, took a success from Brendan Smith within the first interval of Chicago’s 4-2 loss to the Devils.
There’s no timetable for Bedard’s return, although restoration time is mostly 4-8 weeks.
Chicago’s subsequent recreation is tomorrow towards Edmonton. It’s the second assembly of the season between the groups, with the latter led by McDavid, the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner.
Bedard, the No. 1 choose of the 2023 Draft, leads all rookies in factors (33), targets (15) and assists (18). He surpassed Jeff Skinner because the youngest player selected to the All-Star Game.
As for the hit that’s paused Bedard’s stellar marketing campaign, ideas have been diversified.
“I don’t think it was his [Smith] intent to hit,” Chicago’s head coach Luke Richardson said after the sport. “I think he was just playing hard on the blue line and trying to keep the puck out on the penalty kill.”
“There’s no intent. It’s just a solid hit,” added Devils coach Lindy Ruff.
Bedard’s teammate Bris Katchouk disagreed.
“Everybody saw it,” he instructed the media. “It’s dirty. I think it’s dirty.”
Moreover, Nick Foligno is out because of a fractured finger in his left hand after preventing Smith for the hit. The Blackhawks now have 9 gamers on their IR, together with Taylor Corridor and Andreas Athanasiou. 5 gamers (Bedard, Foligno, Anthony Beauvellier, Seth Jones, and Taylor Raddysh) have all been positioned on the checklist within the final 4 video games.
