Morning Chirps: Burakovsky's absence explained, former Blackhawks in the news

The Chicago Blackhawks will be back in action tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. We got an explanation of why their top-line winger has been absent this week, while plenty of former Blackhawks are in the news. Be sure to check back in later this morning for your three things to watch against the Bolts, then some Postgame Musings after the game.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Andre Burakovsky was absent from practice on Monday and did not join his teammates on the plane to Florida. He’s not injured; he left the team to be with his wife, Johanna, as she gave birth to a baby girl. She revealed on her Instagram account that she was three weeks early, but everyone appears to be happy and healthy. We’ll find out later today if Burakovsky rejoined the team for tonight’s game.

• The Chicago Bulls opened their season last night. Rookie Noa Essengue wore a Blackhawks jersey to the United Center, but he did not play in the Bulls’ 115-111 win over the Detroit Pistons. Check our friends at Pippen Ain’t Easy for all your Bulls coverage.

• Spencer Knight is gaining a lot of attention from around the hockey world with his excellent start to the season. Jim Lynch says that he’s providing the Blackhawks with stability that they have long lacked.

• On this date in 1965, Bobby Hull scored a hat trick in the Blackhawks' 4-0 season-opening victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished the season with a career-high 54 goals, becoming the first player in NHL history to score more than 50 goals in a season.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 23: Jim Henry and Larry Wilson.

NHL Chirps

• Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Dominic James. There is a chance he makes his NHL debut tonight against the Blackhawks, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He elected to become a free agent after his college career ended and signed with the Lightning in September. James scored three goals and five points in his first four professional games for the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League.

• Former Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira is reportedly talking with the Vancouver Canucks about possibly returning to the organization. He was a big part of the Abbotsford Canucks’ AHL championship last season.

• Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy revealed that goaltender Adin Hill is week-to-week with an injury. The team recalled Carl Lindbom to take his roster spot. The recently signed Carter Hart is not eligible to play until Dec. 1. They also recalled former Blackhawks defenseman Jaycob Megna after placing Noah Hanifin on injured reserve.

• Former Blackhawks appear to be the focus this morning. Elliotte Friedman told the guys on Morning Cuppa Hockey that he thinks Artemi Panarin will stay with the New York Rangers. He added that Panarin will have the type of season to make the Rangers say, “we gotta do this.”

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 23: Gordie Drillon, Fred Shero, and Matt D’Agostini.