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The Chicago Blackhawks hope star rookie Connor Bedard can return to game action next week after missing six weeks with a fractured jaw.
Bedard, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL draft, suffered the injury Jan. 5 when on the receiving end of a big hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith.
The 18-year-old underwent surgery and returned to the ice just seven days later. Reports at the time said he would miss six to eight weeks of the season before being ready to return.