While Chicago Blackhawks prospects are getting a head start to training camp this week, the rest of the group is gearing up with informal skates at the Blackhawks Ice Center as we inch closer to the September 17 official start of training camp.

We don’t know exactly when Connor Bedard will be cleared to join the team. But it could happen much sooner than expected, and that is one of the biggest questions to answer for the Blackhawks this season. But that answer might not come in training camp. There are still plenty of questions to answer and things to figure out between now and the start of the season on September 29, when the Blackhawks drop the puck in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.

These are five big questions that need answers before the close of Blackhawks training camp.

1. Who is your No. 1 center without Connor Bedard?

A few weeks ago we were talking about the potential for Connor Bedard to maybe only miss 15 games to begin the season as an optimistic viewpoint. Now, seeing him begin skating last week in informal skates at the Blackhawks Ice Center, it could be as early as the home opener that Bedard is on the ice with the Blackhawks and cleared to return to the team in full capacity.

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