Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard undergoes successful left-shoulder surgery after sustaining a shoulder injury during the offseason, multiple outlets report. The team confirms the procedure and says Bedard is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season, with estimates ranging around the first month to roughly four months depending on recovery progress. Several reports note Bedard’s injury occurred during offseason preparation, including a drill in Vancouver, and that he later required surgery. Team medical staff, including physician Michael Terry, describe an approximate four-month recovery timeline and a full recovery as an expectation. The surgery is expected to affect Chicago’s early-season plans, particularly around Bedard’s role as a central piece of the team’s rebuild. Some coverage also discusses potential downstream implications, including how the absence and recovery could intersect with contract-related planning, though details on any contract outcome are not reported as confirmed. The NHL schedule is not referenced as finalized in the articles, but the timing suggests Bedard will not be available for the season’s opening stretch.