Patrick Kane told the Sun-Times' Ben Pope it hasn't been a "dream start" to his Blackhawks return: he has one goal, from the season opener, and four assists through nine games, and the Hawks have been outscored 11-2 with him on the ice at 5-on-5.
Chicago Hockey Now's Monday roundup flags a quiet problem on the Hawks' blue line: Wyatt Kaiser. His pairings with Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel both sit among the NHL's ten worst at 5-on-5 by expected-goal share, and Chicago has allowed 16 goals with him on the ice through nine games.
Rookie Anton Frondell has been handed some of the Blackhawks' toughest matchups lately, and The Hockey News says he's held his own while leaning into a two-way role.
Andrew Mangiapane, out since getting hurt in the season opener, was back on the ice before Blackhawks practice Monday in a non-contact jersey. Bowen Byram was absent again as he deals with an upper-body issue.
Kevin Korchinski and the Blackhawks are at a serious crossroads, All CHGO's Greg Boysen writes. After a strong preseason, the 22-year-old defenseman has clearly fallen out of favor — and sitting night after night isn't helping either side.
Douglas Schwamb's Blackhawk Up piece picks three IceHogs to watch this season: Nick Lardis, Sacha Boisvert and Marek Vanacker.
Tab Bamford's Monday Bleacher Nation bullets note that the Blackhawks are off until Montreal visits Friday, with practice every day except Wednesday.
Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus open The Athletic's first Blackhawks power rankings of the season by crediting Connor Bedard's early return from injury with giving Chicago a much-needed jolt after a dreadful opening week.
The Hockey News' Michael DeRosa picks up on a recent Athletic piece by Scott Powers that named Teuvo Teravainen the Blackhawks' top "under-the-radar" trade candidate this season.
The Athletic's Harman Dayal checks in on how six notable offseason acquisitions are settling into their new teams, and Bowen Byram's rocky start in Chicago is part of the conversation.