It’s still early, but two weeks into the NHL season, several teams that missed the playoffs last year are off to hot starts. We took a closer look at five of them and asked a simple question: contender or pretender? (All stats and records are through games played Thursday.) For the first time in years, the Hawks have at least looked competent for long stretches in every game. The bar was really low, and Chicago is clearing it right now as it sits in a playoff spot. Centers Frank Nazar and Connor Bedard have combined for 16 points, and Bedard has excelled taking on new responsibility on the penalty kill. That doesn’t make the Blackhawks contenders, but they are at least watchable. A disastrous 5-1 loss to Montreal in the opener prompted head coach Todd McLellan to call out his team. Then the Wings reeled off five straight wins against five playoff teams from last season, including both Stanley Cup finalists (Edmonton and Florida). Detroit has since lost back-to-back games in regulation to Buffalo and the New
