Kane Is Back, Bedard Is Hurt and Chicago Has Something to Prove

Chicago was a bottom-five offence last season and 27th in goals allowed per game, so there was plenty to fix. The Blackhawks addressed both sides in a meaningful way, landing Bowen Byram on the blue line and bringing Patrick Kane home up front. The one thing they could not control, Bedard's shoulder surgery, clouds everything heading into October.

Last season in review

The numbers were ugly in places that matter. Chicago averaged 2.56 goals per game, which ranked 30th in the NHL. They gave up 3.29 per game, which ranked 27th. The record, 29-39-14, put them eighth in the Central Division and out of the playoffs.

Connor Bedard carried the offence with 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games. Tyler Bertuzzi was the second scorer, posting 32 goals and 26 assists in 79 games. Frank Nazar added 41 points in 66 games as a 21-year-old. Spencer Knight was genuinely good in goal, posting a .902 save percentage in 55 games behind a porous defence. The problem was not Knight. It was everything in front of him.

Ins and outs

• In: Patrick Kane (signed as a free agent, two years, $16 million)
• In: Bowen Byram (acquired via trade from Buffalo Sabres; signed to a six-year, $75 million extension)
• In: Ian Cole (signed as a free agent, one year)
• In: Cole Smith (signed as a free agent, three years)
• In: Jordan Greenway (acquired with Byram from Buffalo)
• In: Roman Kantserov (signed entry-level contract, coming over from KHL)
• In: Kevin Korchinski (signed to a two-year contract)
• In: Ethan Del Mastro (signed to a two-year contract)
• Out: Ilya Mikheyev (signed with Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Out: Louis Crevier (traded to Buffalo as part of Byram deal)
• Out: Sam Lafferty (signed with Florida Panthers)
• Out: Andre Burakovsky (departed)

Connor Bedard also signed a five-year, $75 million extension in July, locking him in through 2031. He was named the 37th captain in franchise history on September 15, becoming the second-youngest captain in Chicago history at 21 years and 60 days.

The big question

How long is Bedard actually out? As of September 23, coach Jeff Blashill confirmed the captain is skating and taking light shots on his own but is not close to full team practice after left shoulder surgery on July 8. He is projected to return in November, but the Blackhawks open the regular season on September 29 at Vegas, and every week without him is a week the young group has to tread water.

X-factor

Roman Kantserov is the name to watch. The 21-year-old Russian winger led the KHL with 36 goals in 63 games last season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, setting KHL records for goals and points (64) by a player under 22. He opened training camp on a line with Kane and Nazar. Adjusting to North American ice and NHL pace is never automatic, but if Kantserov transitions quickly, he gives Chicago a legitimate top-line option while Bedard recovers and a long-term piece once the captain returns.

Bold prediction

Kane and Byram give Chicago just enough credibility to sneak into the final wild-card spot, but only if Bedard is back and healthy before December. A November return that goes smoothly puts them in the conversation; a setback ends it early.

The outlook

This is a team in genuine transition, not a rebuild anymore but not a contender either. The core is young and signed long-term. The additions are real. The margin for error, with Bedard sidelined at the start, is thin, and the Central Division is not forgiving. Chicago needs a lot to go right at once, but for the first time in a few years, the pieces are at least pointed in the right direction.