The absence casts a cloud on the upcoming season, but there are options available that could soften the blow. General manager Kyle Davidson said July 1 that his ringer is always on in case a team wants to talk business.<\/p>\n
The injury might force his hand if he wants to win in 2026-27, but he could wait and see where his roster stands without Bedard, who turns 21 on Thursday. Here are some potential scenarios for the Hawks to address the Bedard-sized hole in the roster.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Showtime (maybe)
\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ctc-Red-Wings-Hockey_264318143.jpg\")
Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane plays against the Lightning on April 13, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo\/Chris O’Meara)<\/p>\n
Fans might have a reason to pull out those No. 88 sweaters again.<\/p>\n
Patrick Kane is an unrestricted free agent after his one-year, $3 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings expired. The sides initially shared an interest in bringing the 37-year-old back, but Kane remains unsigned, likely signaling a change of heart by either him or the team.<\/p>\n
Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios told The Score on Wednesday that he had spoken to Kane recently and that the former league MVP is deciding between the Hawks and Buffalo Sabres as his next landing spot.<\/p>\n
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Kane\u00a0has a higher likelihood of winning with his hometown team \u2014 which went 50-23-9 last season and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals after a 14-year playoff absence \u2014 than with his former team.<\/p>\n
The Sabres have an open spot for Kane after sending Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal June 24, and they might represent his best shot at a fourth Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n
But returning to where he won his first three is a tempting opportunity. The Hawks are in a somewhat better position than when they traded Kane to the New York Rangers in 2023. He could pair with Bedard when the center comes back \u2014 a dream scenario for Hawks fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s dangerous every time I\u2019m watching and every time he\u2019s on the ice,\u201d Kane said of Bedard on Nov. 8<\/a>. \u201c(He\u2019s) someone that\u2019s going to help that franchise take the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n Davidson would have to forgo the \u201cnew era\u201d mindset he had after trading Kane, but dire times call for dire measures. A Kane signing could signal where Davidson believes the Hawks are in the rebuild.<\/p>\n It also would be a flip of stance for Kane, who said in November he thinks \u201cof myself as a Red Wing now.\u201d But he also said he wants to see the Hawks succeed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe league\u2019s better off if Chicago\u2019s competitive and they\u2019re doing well in the playoff hunt and competing for Stanley Cups like we did in the past,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A Hawk of all trades The Hawks made headlines with the June 23 trade for defenseman Bowen Byram<\/a>, and they could search for offensive help before extending Bedard. It\u2019s now or never if this is the preferred direction as training camp creeps closer.<\/p>\n A popular rumor is that the Hawks might join the ever-complicated Jason Robertson sweepstakes. The left wing, who scored 45 goals for the Dallas Stars last season, has an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 25.<\/p>\n That makes him ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but he can be traded before the hearing. The Hawks have three 2027 first-round draft picks and additional prospects they could offer, giving them an advantage over other potential suitors.<\/p>\n This scenario is the riskiest option for the Hawks. It\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess what Robertson wants in a new long-term contract.<\/p>\n If nothing forms there, other trade options could be available. The Seattle Kraken\u2019s Jared McCann would bring experience. The Anaheim Ducks might have to deal forwards to adjust for Leo Carlsson\u2019s $90 million offer sheet. And the Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 Matthew Knies has been mentioned in trade talks for the past year.<\/p>\n The Hawks\u2019 2026 free-agent signings<\/a> won\u2019t make them a playoff team, so a trade in the next month is likely the fastest way to get to a competitive state. It would cost them valuable draft capital, but maybe that\u2019s the price to pay for that postseason goal.<\/p>\n Staying put In all likelihood, this is the direction the rest of the offseason will go. Davidson said on the opening day of free agency<\/a> he would be content with the current roster if the season started tomorrow.<\/p>\n The Hawks signed defenseman Ian Cole, 37, and left wing Cole Smith, 30, on July 1. They should be useful additions, but the signings don\u2019t sway Davidson\u2019s belief in the talent he has drafted.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all we\u2019ve really got going right now,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cWe\u2019ve filled some spots that we wanted to shore up while also leaving runway for some young players to continue their development and grow into roles that they\u2019ve already started to mature into.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ctc-Stars-Robertson-Hockey_264318351.jpg\")
The Stars’ Jason Robertson during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series against the Wild on April 20, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez)<\/p>\n
\n![\"Blackhawks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CTC-L-blackhawks-lightning038.jpg\")
Blackhawks center Frank Nazar stands on the ice during a break in the action against the Lightning on Jan. 23, 2026, at the United Center. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n