Byram Sees Specialist as Blackhawks Injury Absence Continues

Byram has not played since October 13, when he logged a team-high 24 minutes and 37 seconds against Pittsburgh. Two days later, his status was described as uncertain from one day to the next because of an upper-torso injury. Blashill has said the injury is not a concussion but has not identified its nature. The coach said Byram has not had a setback, but is not medically cleared to return.

The defenseman began skating on his own on October 23 and practiced with the team the next day in a non-contact jersey. He traveled with Chicago on its recent road trip to Detroit and Boston but did not play. Byram was not on the ice for the team’s morning skate on November 2. Blashill did not say whether he would join the Blackhawks for their next trip, which includes games against Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina.

Chicago has spread its most demanding defensive minutes among four players: Ian Cole, Wyatt Kaiser, Alex Vlasic and Artyom Levshunov, each averaging between 19 minutes and 30 seconds and 21 minutes and 30 seconds per game. Sam Rinzel has been given more sheltered minutes, while the team has alternated Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski as lineup options. Blashill described the defense’s play as uneven, while noting recent improvement from Kaiser and consistent play from Vlasic and Cole.

Levshunov has also shown promise, but Byram’s absence has limited the team’s ability to assess how the young defenseman might perform alongside him. Chicago acquired Byram in the summer expecting him to strengthen its young defense, but his return date remains unclear.