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Sports Friday, August 21, 2026 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. As opening night on Sept. 29 gets closer, the Blackhawks still are embracing the hype of Patrick Kane’s return. The nostalgic arrival is an inadvertent smokescreen for Connor Bedard’s injury. He underwent left shoulder surgery in July and has a four-month recovery timeline. The Hawks remain confident in their young skaters, especially the centers behind Bedard. But who will man the top line until he returns? Blackhawks center Anton Frondell looks on against the Hurricanes on April 9, 2026, at the United Center. (Michael Reaves/Getty) It will be a large responsibility to start the season, and that weight likely will fall on the shoulders of either Frank Nazar or Anton Frondell. Here’s the case for each to center the top line. | | | | A familiar face returns to Rate Field on Friday when the White Sox face Luis Robert Jr. and the Mets. The Cubs, meanwhile, embark on their last long trip of the season to Seattle and Phoenix. | | | | | Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson will have plenty to learn from Thursday’s session after the offensive line struggled to tame Cincinnati Bengals DT Dexter Lawrence II. | | | | | Brother Rice, Marian Catholic, Providence, Andrew and Mount Carmel are the picks to click in the Southland’s season openers. | | | | | Who is the No. 1 team in the Southland? Here are our Top 10 rankings before the high school football season kicks off. | | | | | Batavia, West Aurora, St. Charles East, Oswego and East Aurora are the picks to click in the Aurora-Elgin area season openers. | | | | | Who is the No. 1 team in the Aurora/Elgin area? Here are our rankings before the high school football season kicks off. | | | | | Three of the four teams in the CCL Blue begin the season in the Top 25, led by defending state champions Mount Carmel and Brother Rice. | | | | | The Chicago White Sox had only one hit Thursday in a 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Sox were shut out for the ninth time and saw their AL Central lead drop to 3½ games. | | | | | Pat Murphy doesn’t sound like the manager of a team with the best record in the major leagues as he discusses what the Milwaukee Brewers have accomplished thus far. | | | | | Connor Bedard will be out of the Chicago Blackhawks lineup until late fall. Who should man his top-line center position until his return? | | | |
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