Mid-way through the first period of Friday night’s road game against the New Jersey Devils, Connor Bedard took a high-hit to the mouth and left the game. He was not on the bench to begin the second period and shortly after, the Chicago Blackhawks made it official that the 2023 first-overall pick would not return to the game.

The hit itself from Brendan Smith, while high, was not entirely his fault and wasn’t malicious to try to hit Bedard in the face. It’s an unfortunate circumstance that Bedard took the hit and a gut-punch to an already depleted Blackhawks roster.

Not returning to the game after Bedard popped right up and skated off the ice with minimal issue gives you a troubling feeling. We don’t know the full extent of what happened yet or if he’ll miss any time beyond the second and third periods of Friday night’s game, but the fact that it’s Connor Bedard makes Blackhawks fans squirm. It’s another name added to the long list of injured players for Chicago, not only just this season, but this five-game road trip.

Bedard was just named an NHL All-Star yesterday and is the only bright spot on this 2023-24 season for Chicago. Here’s to hoping he is alright and can be with the team on the ice for Sunday afternoon’s home game. One can only hope.