The Chicago Blackhawks have an important season ahead of them. The organization has committed to building through the draft, and a plethora of draft picks are NHL-ready, or on the cusp of being NHL-ready. Many young players will have a chance to make their mark this season; some becoming everyday players while many others will make their NHL debuts. Meanwhile, a small group of veterans will be tasked with helping the youngsters find their way.
In this series headed into the 2025-26 campaign, we’ll preview each player projected to make the roster, and what their role will be with the team. Today we highlight Frank Nazar.
Nazar by the Numbers
Drafted: 13th Overall (First Round) in 2022 by the Blackhawks
Position: Center (shoots right)
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
Age/Birthdate: 21 years old (1/14/2004)
Country: United States
2024-25 Stats: 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points in 53 games
Career Stats: 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points in 56 games
Related – Blackhawks’ 2025-26 Player Previews: Landon Slaggert
How He Got Here
It’s safe to say Nazar has been the biggest storyline for the Blackhawks this offseason. After only 56 NHL games, the organization is putting a lot of faith in this young forward by giving him a lucrative seven-year contract with a $6.59 average annual cap hit. Is it too soon to know if the Blackhawks truly have an elite player on their hands? Well, if the past is any indication, the organization has made a pretty sure bet. When you look at all of Nazar’s stops along the way, he’s excelled at every one of them.
The Detroit, MI native spent two seasons, from 2020-2022, with the U.S. National Development Team. In their competition as part of the USHL, Nazar potted 20 goals and 36 points in his first season and then 15 goals and 35 points in his second season, even while playing in seven less games.
The Blackhawks selected Nazar 13th overall in the 2022 Draft and he was all set to attend the University of Michigan in the fall of 2022, being considered one of the top freshmen in the country. However, after participating in the Team USA World Junior Camp and the Blackhawks’ 2022 development camp, Nazar arrived at the University of Michigan suffering from a nagging hip injury. This eventually led to surgery, which cut into his first season with the Wolverines. He was…
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