The Chicago Blackhawks recently received some troubling information concerning the New Jersey Devils while…

The Chicago Blackhawks recently received some troubling information concerning the New Jersey Devils while…

Following a severe blow from Brendan Smith of the New Jersey Devils, Connor Bedard, a star player for the Chicago Blackhawks, had surgery to repair his broken jaw, leaving him out for up to TWO MONTHS.
After taking the hit on Friday, Connor Bedard has not appeared for Chicago since representing the Blackhawks at the NHL All-Star Game the following month.
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Connor Bedard, the rookie sensation for the Chicago Blackhawks, suffered a broken jaw last Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Surgery will likely require up to eight weeks off from the field.

Bedard was skating up the ice with the puck against the Devils halfway through the first period when he attempted to dump it behind the New Jersey net on a power play, but he was checked by Brendan Smith.

It was judged a legal hit when Smith’s shoulder struck Bedard’s upper chest and jaw. After falling onto the ice, Bedard quickly stood up, gripping his jaw, and moved toward the bench. Since then, the 18-year-old has not played.

Chicago has had a terrible season, with the team having the second-fewest points in the NHL—only surpassed by the San Jose Sharks—but Bedard has been by far their best player.

Bedard was the only member of the Blackhawks to represent the team at the NHL All-Star game on February 3, but his diagnosis means he will miss it.

Brendan Smith, a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, gave Connor Bedard a serious blow on Friday.
Brendan Smith, a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, gave Connor Bedard a serious blow on Friday.

Bedard fell to the ice and instantly stood up, clutching his severely injured jaw.
Bedard fell to the ice and instantly stood up, clutching his severely injured jaw.

Blackhawks winger Boris Katchouk disagreed with his coach and felt the check was “dirty,” but Chicago head coach Luke Richardson did not think the hit was illegal.

However, Smith was still subject to the NHL’s unwritten rules even though there was no penalty called on the play for the hit.

Blackhawks veterans Nick Foligno and Brett Seney engaged Smith in a push-and-shoot near the goal crease as soon as Bedard left.

Foligno and Smith formally took off their gloves for a fight that lasted for more than a minute during the second period.

Because Bedard’s teammates didn’t like his injury, Smith was forced to square off against Nick Foligno, a veteran.
Because Bedard’s teammates didn’t like his injury, Smith was forced to square off against Nick Foligno, a veteran.

The Blackhawks didn’t get the desired outcome from the fight as New Jersey scored three goals in a row to take the lead in the third period.

Earlier in the season, Smith cut the captain of the New York Islanders, Anders Lee, with a vicious punch.

With his selection for the All-Star game next month—he will be 18 years, 201 days old—Bedard became the youngest player in NHL history to have been chosen for the event.

Bedard, who leads the league’s rookies with 15 goals and 18 assists, is also the clear favorite to win NHL Rookie of the Year.