Connor Bedard is set to finally make his debut as Chicago’s captain against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night after a delay. Expressing his excitement, Bedard mentioned being “pumped” to play during a pre-game media briefing. In July, he signed a lucrative five-year contract worth $75 million US. The 2023 draft’s top pick became the second-youngest captain in the Original Six franchise’s history on September 15. Unfortunately, Bedard missed Chicago’s training camp and the first six games of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained during off-season training, which necessitated surgery.
Reflecting on his absence, Bedard commented, “It’s crazy it’s only been six games. When you miss camp and you miss pre-season and everything, it feels like a lot longer.” He expressed his excitement about reuniting with his teammates and pursuing his passion. The 21-year-old center from North Vancouver, B.C., has amassed an impressive record of 75 goals and 203 points over 219 NHL games. Chicago struggled with a 1-5-0 start to the season in Bedard’s absence.
In another development, Carolina Hurricanes’ captain and reigning playoff MVP, Jordan Staal, is sidelined for one to two months due to a partially torn calf muscle, as confirmed by head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Staal, a native of Thunder Bay, Ont., sustained the injury during a pre-game warmup session in Philadelphia. Brind’Amour acknowledged the setback, stating, “Not good news there, but we’ve had a lot of injuries over the years, and we’re just going to have to keep figuring it out.”
The defending Stanley Cup champions now face the challenge of missing a key player in Staal, alongside winger Seth Jarvis, who is also absent at the beginning of the season following shoulder surgery. Staal’s exceptional performance during Carolina’s title-winning campaign earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy. Brind’Amour emphasized the need for the team to collectively step up in the absence of these crucial players. Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to fill Staal’s position in the lineup, with the Hurricanes likely to bring up a forward from their minor league squad. Brind’Amour highlighted the necessity for a shared responsibility in compensating for the absence of key players like Staal and Jarvis.
