KANATA, Ontario — The timeline of Blackhawks star Connor Bedard’s recovery from his right shoulder injury will depend on how he feels and what he’s able to do rather than any specific tests.
That’s what Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson explained Friday, adding a little detail to what coach Jeff Blashill previously shared — that Bedard will be re-evaluated in early January once he does some rehab.
“We’re going to get through the Christmas break and see how he’s feeling, because it very much is [about] ‘see how the player is feeling,'” Davidson said. “It’s not like a broken bone where you can go in and image it and [know] if it’s healed, yes or no? It’s much more [about] his ability to perform and do what he needs to do on the ice as a hockey player.
“It’s not a firm timeline, but I don’t think it’s something that [can have] a firm timeline, just because we have to see how it heals up.”
Davidson said Bedard is “doing fine” even though he “wants to be playing,” despite doctors’ advice. Davidson reiterated that surgery isn’t considered necessary.
“If [surgery] was on the table right now, we would have a much more defined timeline,” he said.
The Hawks entered Saturday still searching for their first win without Bedard, and they’re destined for a difficult time throughout his absence. But Davidson believes this could ultimately prove beneficial for the team.
“It’s a great experience for some of these guys to have to step in and play bigger roles and go against some of the best players in the world,” he said. “Long-term, that’s going to serve them very well.”
Rinzel’s change
Rookie defenseman Sam Rinzel has racked up four assists in three AHL games since getting sent down to Rockford, a decision made in hopes that the break will allow him to quickly rebuild confidence.
“He’s playing upwards of 25 minutes,” Davidson said. “We see him as a big-time minute guy for us up here, so he’s playing tons of minutes, he’s playing in all different situations and [he’s] just touching the game in ways he wasn’t able to here. Rather than survive, we want them to thrive, and I think he is thriving down there.
“I’m pleased with how his attitude is going there. He’s committed, and he’s gotten off on the right foot right away.”
Vlasic’s behavior
Blashill thinks defenseman Alex Vlasic might be a little too well-behaved in the wake of his first minor of the season: an interference penalty Tuesday in Toronto.
It’s remarkable that in 694 minutes of ice time across 33 games, Vlasic has received only one minor (and one fighting major). And in more than 1,900 minutes across 82 games last season, he committed only six minors.
Although it’s good that he rarely puts the Hawks on the penalty kill, that stat might also indicate he doesn’t assert himself physically enough during five-on-five play.
“There’s a positive to that, for sure,” Blashill said. “You’re not taking hookings and holdings and those kinds of things. I’d be OK if he took a cross-check every once in a while. There’s a positive to that, too. … Part of what our ‘D’ corps is still learning to be is hard to play against, and sometimes that’s [in the form of] a cross-checking penalty.”
Note: Captain Nick Foligno, who has missed 16 games due to a hand injury, practiced Friday but still has “a few more boxes to check” before he’s cleared to play.