Story perspectives

Blackhawks Begin Without Bedard, Trade for Byram

7/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Chicago Blackhawks begin the 84-game schedule without leading scorer Connor Bedard, who had left-shoulder surgery in Vancouver.
Bedard will miss about four months, returning around November, and remains a restricted-free agent.
Chicago added defenseman Bowen Byram from Buffalo, trading the No. 4 and No. 45 picks and signing him to a six-year, $75 million deal, hoping the move will reverse the team’s three-year streak of 31st-place finishes and playoff absence.

History

Historical Context

After winning its third Stanley Cup in six years on June 15 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks entered a cap-tight offseason, trading Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp and relying on long-term defense contracts such as Duncan Keith’s 13-year, $72 million deal signed in 2009. The strategy of heavy defensive spending now underlies attempts to reverse recent last-place finishes.

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Story summary

The Chicago Blackhawks begin the 84-game schedule without leading scorer Connor Bedard, who had left-shoulder surgery in Vancouver.
Bedard will miss about four months, returning around November, and remains a restricted-free agent.
Chicago added defenseman Bowen Byram from Buffalo, trading the No. 4 and No. 45 picks and signing him to a six-year, $75 million deal, hoping the move will reverse the team’s three-year streak of 31st-place finishes and playoff absence.

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