Breaking down the Chicago Blackhawks’ first month of the season

As the Chicago Blackhawks finalize their opening-day roster and preseason schedule this week, they look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in the coming month. The schedule offers some easier opponents, and the youthful energy of the Blackhawks should bring an intensity to these early games that other teams often lack.

Recent History Does Not Provide Optimism

The Blackhawks prepare to begin their regular season on Tuesday, October 7th, against the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champion, the Florida Panthers. Chicago is no stranger to opening their season on the road against challenging opponents. Last year, they opened with the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural home game and lost. In 2023, the NHL had the Blackhawks travel to Pittsburgh in Connor Bedard's debut against his childhood idol, Sidney Crosby, in which they posted a rare victory. Finally, in 2021 and 2022, Chicago opened at Colorado and lost both matchups.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blackhawks have a combined 10-23-5 record in October. In each of the last four years, the Blackhawks have had at least three straight games on the road to open the season. Extended road trips to begin the season can provide new teammates with a great opportunity to bond and develop chemistry. However, over the last few years, that chemistry did not develop on the ice.

Turning the Corner: Signs of Change This Season

As a fan, it is difficult to have continued hope and trust in the rebuild after the team has cemented itself in last place by Halloween the last few years. However, this year's team will have different energy with a lineup that boasts many of the younger Blackhawks. Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic will claim the majority of the attention early on which should allow players like Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Oliver Moore the ability to play without being under the microscope from fans and media.

This year's schedule also presents additional opportunities for the Blackhawks to achieve more victories in October than they have in the past. This month, the Blackhawks have six home games at the United Center and five road games. Winnable games include matchups at Boston and St. Louis, as well as home games against Montreal, Vancouver, and Anaheim.

Setting the Tone: What Success Means Early in the Season

First and foremost, success this year equals victories. Nothing would help this group gain confidence than an early winning streak. The front office has preached patience as this young group grows and develops, and while that remains true for this year, it would go a long way for the Blackhawks to have a hot start, not only for the team but for the fanbase as well.

Realistically, this appears to be another bottom-five finish for the Blackhawks. Nonetheless, that does not mean this season will be a failure for Jeff Blashill and the Blackhawks. Successes that would be independent of wins and losses could include play from their top skaters. If Connor Bedard is to come out of the gates scorching hot in both point production and on-ice leadership then we could see him challenge for an Olympic roster position. This remains a goal of his and will provide plenty of motivation early on in the season.

The youthful defense is another area where we could see improvement early this season. We will not be seeing multiple veterans begin this season on the blue line (T.J. Brodie, Alec Martinez, Jarred Tinordi, etc.). While these "kids" will make youthful mistakes, it will be entertaining to watch them push play and skate the puck. The more time players like Vlasic, Rinzel, Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, and Nolan Allan, or Ethan Del Mastro, spend together on the ice, the more beneficial it will be for the future.

Overall, I predict the Blackhawks to have a 4-6-1 record in October.