Blackhawks' Connor Bedard knocked out of game after monster hit by Devils' Brendan Smith

Chicago Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard left Friday night's game after a hard hit and didn't return.

He was skating between two New Jersey players midway through the first period when 6-foot-2 Devils defenseman Brendan Smith stepped up and hit the 5-10 center. Bedard was rubbing his chin as he skated to the dressing room.

No penalty was called on the hit, but Chicago's Nick Foligno and Smith got roughing minors as Blackhawks players went after the defenseman.

The Blackhawks later announced that Bedard wouldn't return to the game. Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson had minimal updates after the game. He said Bedard would get "checked out" further back in Chicago. "Hopefully we'll know more tomorrow," Richardson said.

Bedard, 18, was taken No. 1 overall in the 2023 draft after being labeled a generational talent for years.

He hasn't disappointed, leading the Blackhawks and all rookies with 15 goals, 18 assists and 33 points. He has scored highlight-reel goals, including a lacrosse-style one.

The NHL named him rookie of the month in November and December, and he was named Thursday as the Blackhawks' representative to next month's All-Star Game in Toronto.

Smith and Foligno later engaged in a long fight right off a faceoff during the second period. Foligno left the game after the fight and the Blackhawks said he wouldn't return.

"Everybody's coming home tonight, everybody's fine to come home and we'll just get them checked out at home," Richardson said. "...They're just both banged up and there's really nothing we can do too much here other than get them home and get them to our specialists and see if everything's OK."