Blackhawks star Connor Bedard to make season debut against the Penguins

Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard is set for his season debut on Tuesday night against Pittsburgh.Coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard is in the lineup for the matchup with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. The 21-year-old center had surgery on his left shoulder on July 8.“It’s only been six games, but when you miss camp and you miss preseason it feels like a lot longer,” Bedard said. “Just to be back with the guys and get to do what I love, it’s exciting. Looking forward to getting back out there, for sure.”Chicago dropped five of its first six games without Bedard, who had a team-high 45 assists and 75 points last season. The Blackhawks have been outscored 26-12.“We have to understand we’re adding a good piece to the puzzle, but we can’t expect him to put the puzzle together by himself,” Blashill said.Bedard agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract in July. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft became the second-youngest captain in the history of the Original Six franchise on Sept. 15.