Star center and captain Connor Bedard joined the Chicago Blackhawks lineup Tuesday night to make his 2026-27 debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins after being activated from the injured non-roster list earlier in the day.
Bedard, 21, returned weeks ahead of schedule after initially receiving a four-month recovery timeline when he underwent left shoulder surgery in early July. He was injured when he fell into the boards during an unofficial practice in British Columbia.
Asked after an optional morning skate Tuesday about making his season debut, Bedard said, "Yeah, I'm pumped."
Bedard missed the first six games of the season while recovering from the surgery. The Hawks started 1-5-0.
"It's crazy it's only been six games," Bedard said. "When you miss camp and you miss preseason, (it) feels a lot longer. Just to be back with the guys and get to do what I love, it's exciting."
Despite the early return, he said he has no concerns about his shoulder.
"If I did, I wouldn't be going," Bedard said. "(I'll) go out there and play normal and play free. If I was hesitant, then I wouldn't want to come back."
Photos: Chicago Blackhawks 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
In a corresponding move, the Hawks sent forward Nick Lardis to their AHL affiliate in Rockford.
Fans sported their No. 98 sweaters as they walked into the United Center for Tuesday's game. That included Mark and Melissa Beyer with their 7-year-old daughter, Sophia, who arrived early to add the "C" patch to their jerseys.
"We live just over the border in Indiana. We go to at least five games a year, usually," Mark Beyer said. "I was like: 'This game sounds good. It's Pittsburgh, always a good matchup. Hey, maybe we'll get lucky.' And I guess we got lucky."
Bedard had been practicing by himself in a noncontact sweater before recently rejoining the team for workouts, donning a normal jersey for practices Sunday and Monday after taking faceoffs Saturday.
His return was welcome news for the Hawks, who struggled to produce offense without Bedard. They were averaging two goals per game entering Tuesday and had converted only 1 of 14 power plays.
Coach Jeff Blashill recognized his team's difficulties without Bedard but doesn't think his captain should have the responsibility of saving the team.
"We're a very young group (in) key positions, center and defense," Blashill said. "Connor's not old, but certainly from an experience level and an ability level, he's a premier player in this league.
"We can't expect him to come and carry us to victory. He's going to be another piece of 20 guys that are playing (Tuesday) to help us win, but he's certainly an important piece."
Not only was it Bedard's season debut, but it was his first time on the ice as the Hawks captain. He was named the franchise's 37th captain on Sept. 15.
"I'm excited it's at home, honestly," Bedard said. "It's a special honor and (I'm) looking forward to that, but also try to treat it as any other game."
Bedard shared the ice with Patrick Kane for the first time as teammates. They had skated on the top line together in practice alongside rookie Roman Kantserov.
Kane, 37, shared his excitement Monday about Bedard's return.
"It's definitely a boost to the whole team," Kane said. "Seeing what he's capable of doing out there just in practice, it's high-level skill — the way he attacks, the way he can make plays off attacking. He's a special player and he's a big part of our team, so it's nice to see him back."
Bedard, meanwhile, called Kantserov "a special player."
"Seeing what he's been able to do and what he's done this whole year, (he and Kane) are going to make the game easy for me," Bedard said.
Unsurprisingly, fans were looking forward to seeing Kane and Bedard together.
"I haven't been this excited since (Mark) proposed at a game," Melissa Beyer said.
Added Mark Beyer: "Seeing (Bedard) and (Kane) together is going to be exciting enough. We grew up with 88; (Sophia is) growing up with 98. She's gotten to see Patrick Kane highlight reels but not in person, so that'll be great."
The fans were treated well with the pair on the ice. The top line was buzzing all night long, with multiple chances created by Bedard and Kane in the Hawks' 5-3 win over the Penguins.
Bedard scored his first point of the season with a first-period assist. He finished with three shots on goal, six shot attempts, 21 minutes, 6 seconds of ice time and even a hit with his left shoulder on Pittsburgh center Connor Dewer in an early shift.
"(Dewar) probably didn't feel it, but it felt good," Bedard joked postgame. "There was a frustrating moment of getting hurt in the summer and not knowing for sure what game you will play. Just grind through the rehab and you watch camp from the sidelines, watch the first few games. Just to be back out there, it's what I live for."
Added Blashill: "Connor put an incredible amount of work in to come back as quick as he did. He did everything he could possible to put himself in position to come back quick, I think it's a testament to him and his desire to play and his work ethic and his commitment to the team."
It was Kantserov who had most of the fun Tuesday. The 22-year-old scored two goals, one assisted by Bedard (first period, primary) and one by Kane (second period, secondary).
"He's just getting better and better," Kane said postgame. "He has the ability to make plays, he can get open, he has a great shot, he's just getting better and better as the season (goes) on here."
The Hawks' power play was a different story against the Penguins, as they went 1 for 2. Kantserov sounded the horn on a set up from both Bowen Byram and Bedard, while the second power play just missed the mark.
"Connor's going to present problems for people," Blashill said of the power play. "I think it could be a really good power play but we have to keep grinding on it."
The Hawks (2-5-0) also received two goals from Teuvo Teräväinen. Pittsburgh (3-3-1), fueled by two goals from team captain Sidney Crosby, attempted to rally in the third period, but Tyler Bertuzzi's empty-net goal with under 10 seconds left in regulation closed the road team's chances.
This was the third time in his four NHL seasons that Bedard missed extended time because of an injury. His only full season was his second one in 2024-25, and the Hawks are 8-17-2 without him.
The 2023 No. 1 draft pick has scored 204 career points (75 goals, 129 assists) in 220 games. Tuesday's win was the second of seven games in a row for the Hawks at the United Center.
