The Chicago Blackhawks have now completed 11 games of their 2024-25 season as we transition from October to November. Unfortunately, their record stands at 3-7-1, tying them with the Nashville Predators for the lowest in the league. It’s disheartening given the Blackhawks’ effort on the ice. While it can be tough to see beyond the losses, the team is striving to come together cohesively. There’s still room for improvement, but several players deserve recognition for their contributions. Let’s take a look at the top three standouts from October.
**No. 3 Star: Defenseman Seth Jones**
Seth Jones often faces criticism due to his substantial contract, and with his extensive ice time, he can often be at fault for goals against. However, it’s important to acknowledge his strong performance at the start of the 2024-25 season. Though he didn’t sign on for a rebuilding phase, Jones has stepped up, contributing one goal and six assists in the first 11 games—tying him for the team lead in assists with Connor Bedard and Connor Murphy. His seven points also rank him second on the team alongside Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato.
Jones leads the team in ice time, averaging 25:41 minutes per game, over three minutes more than the next player, Alex Vlasic (22:18 ATOI). Notably, among defensemen, he ranks second on the team with 30 shots on goal (trailing Bedard with 37 and ahead of Taylor Hall with 26). I’ll leave it to Hunter, who recently highlighted Jones’s impressive start in a feature linked above.
**No. 2 Star: Defenseman Alex Vlasic**
It’s fitting that two of our stars this month are defensemen, as the Blackhawks’ offense, aside from my No. 1 Star, could use some reinforcement. Last season, Alex Vlasic emerged as a top shutdown defenseman, showcasing he belongs at the NHL level. Standing at 6-foot-6, his reach and stride enable him to cover significant ice and excel in puck battles. Currently, he leads the Blackhawks with 11 takeaways and 27 blocked shots, and he’s second on the team in ice time at 22:18 minutes per night. On the penalty kill, he’s clocked in 30:14 minutes, just behind Jones.
Vlasic is already a strong defensive player and is now enhancing his offensive game. He focused on improving his slapshot during the offseason and is finding teammates more effectively, marking five assists in his first 11 games, four of which are primary assists. One standout moment included a perfect pass to Bedard in the middle of the ice. If he can continue his strong defensive play while enhancing his offensive contributions, the Blackhawks will have a valuable asset on their blue line.
**No. 1 Star: Forward Ryan Donato**
Although often seen as a depth forward, Ryan Donato deserves recognition as our No. 1 Star for his season start. Initially regarded as a bubble player going into training camp due to numerous offseason acquisitions at forward, he was even a healthy scratch twice early in the season. Despite this, Donato leads the team with six goals in his first nine games, along with a primary assist, placing him second on the team with seven points. His 22 hits also rank him second (Nick Foligno leads with 38), and importantly, he has achieved this in two fewer games than the team’s other top point scorers, all while averaging just 12:22 minutes of ice time—making the most of his limited opportunities.
Beginning the season on the fourth line, Donato has since primarily played on the third line with Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev, which serves as the team’s checking line tasked with facing opponents’ top lines. His scrappy playing style aligns perfectly with the demands of this role. In a recent 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Donato delivered a standout performance, contributing two goals and an assist, garnering praise from head coach Luke Richardson.
It’s exciting to see a depth player like Donato make such a significant impact early in the season, and we hope he continues this trajectory.
As the Blackhawks move into November with 12 more games ahead, these players have earned their recognition for October, but surely others will rise as the season progresses. Who will be the next standout?
