Blackhawks’ Bowen Byram day-to-day with upper-body injury

A key piece on the back end in the Windy City is on the shelf.

When speaking to the media, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill announced that defenseman Bowen Byram will not be in the lineup on Thursday night, when the Blackhawks take on the Winnipeg Jets. Blashill noted that Byram is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Blashill didn’t specify what has taken the 25-year-old out of action, though he was hit with a shot during Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Byram logged 24:37 of ice time, picking up his first point with his new team in the contest.

With Byram out, expect to see rugged blueliner Ethan Del Mastro draw in the lineup, with Teuvo Teravainen having taken reps on the power play during morning skate.

This is just the second game this season that Byram will miss so far in the 2026-27 season. He had to leave the team before his anticipated return against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 3, as he attended the birth of his twin girls. So far this year, he has registered just one assist, with a plus/minus of -7 while averaging 24:42 of ice time.

It has been a tough start for Byram in his first season with the Hawks. The team made headlines when they traded for the young rearguard, as well as Jordan Greenway, acquiring him from the Sabres in June. Byram later signed a six-year contract extension, which will see him be paid $12.5 million a year starting with the 2027-28 season. However, Chicago has stumbled out of the gate, winning just two of its first seven games.

Puck drop between the Blackhawks (2-5-0) and Jets is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.