The Chicago Blackhawks had high hopes for their rookie center Connor Bedard when they drafted him in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. However, those hopes were quickly dashed when he was on the receiving end of a big hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith. The hit resulted in Bedard leaving the game and not returning, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Blackhawks fans.
The hit occurred late in the third period of the game between the Devils and Blackhawks. Bedard was skating through the neutral zone with his head down when Smith stepped up and delivered a big hit. Bedard was sent flying and was slow to get up, eventually leaving the game and not returning.
The hit was controversial, with some arguing that it was a clean hit while others felt it was too aggressive. Smith was not penalized for the hit, but the Blackhawks were clearly unhappy with the result. After the game, Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said that he felt it was a “dangerous hit” and that he was “disappointed” with the result.
The hit has been a hot topic of discussion among hockey fans, with many debating whether or not it was a clean hit. While some argue that Smith was simply playing physical hockey, others feel that it was a reckless play that could have resulted in serious injury. Regardless of which side of the argument you fall on, it’s clear that the hit had a major impact on Bedard and the Blackhawks.
Bedard is expected to miss several weeks due to the injury, which is a major blow to the Blackhawks’ hopes of making a deep playoff run this season. It’s also a major setback for Bedard, who was looking to make a big impact in his rookie season.
It remains to be seen how Bedard and the Blackhawks will respond to this incident, but one thing is for sure: Brendan Smith’s hit will be remembered for a long time.
