NHL rookie phenom Connor Bedard suffers fractured jaw, placed on injured reserve

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The best NHL prospect since Sidney Crosby will have to put his rookie campaign on hold.

Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard, the first overall pick in the most recent NHL Draft, has been placed on injured reserve after fracturing his jaw on Friday night.

Bedard took a hit to the face by New Jersey Devils' Brendan Smith midway through the first period. He left the game and never returned.

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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center.  (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

The hit resulted in the rest of the game being chippy. Even Devils' young sensation Jack Hughes laid out a big hit, and Smith dropped the gloves later on against Nick Foligno in the second period, right after multiple members of the two teams were in a dustup on the ice.

The Chicago Blackhawks also placed Foligno on IR with a fractured left finger, which he suffered in his fight with Smith.

The Blackhawks won the draft lottery last year, giving them the right to select Bedard.

Connor Bedard, #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks, celebrates a first period goal against the Boston Bruins in the season opener on October 11, 2023, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

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He's lived up to the billing, leading the team - and all rookies - with 15 goals and 18 assists. However, it continues to be a rough go in Chicago, as they sit at 11-26-2 - their 24 points is the second-lowest mark in the