The Chicago Blackhawks have taken their next step with Connor Bedard.
The young star was injured last week on a late faceoff. His right shoulder appeared to get caught up in his opponent's stick, creating an odd torque.
Bedard immediately went down to the ice, holding that shoulder area, before quickly skating off to the locker room.
On Monday, the Blackhawks placed Bedard on Injured Reserve.
When is Connor Bedard coming back?
Bedard can't return until at least Saturday, Dec. 20.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman clarified that Bedard has been placed on the seven-day version of IR, not the long-term version.
With the required absence retroactive to the time of the injury, it keeps Bedard out until Saturday.
Of course, he could also be out longer. That's just a minimum absence.
In the relatively secretive world of hockey injury reporting, it's unlikely we'll get a whole lot more clarity on Bedard in the short term. The Blackhawks will have to figure out how to play without him, at least for a bit.
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