It looks like the Chicago Blackhawks’ choice to lock up Frank Nazar was a good decision.
When the center signed his seven-year, $46.13 million contract this offseason, there was chatter that the extension was premature. It was valid criticism, given that he played 56 games before he put pen to paper.
The Michigan prospect has quickly proved that he’s worth every penny. Through nine games, he’s scored nine points (four goals, five assists) with a plus-5 rating. He scored the first goal of the 2025-26 NHL season versus the Florida Panthers.
He’s producing at a high level, and he’s loving every second of it.
“My favorite thing to do in the world is score goals and play hockey. No better feeling than putting the puck in the back of the net,” Nazar said. “I continue to stay humble and stay confident on the ice. It’s something that I work for and it’s a part of my game.”
The Hawks’ lines have shuffled a few times this season, including Colton Dach seeing both top and fourth line time. Nazar’s line for the most part has been the 21-year-old center skating with Tuevo Teräväinen and Tyler Bertuzzi as his wingers.
Teräväinen has eight points (one goal, seven assists) this season while Bertuzzi has put up six points (two goals, four assists) of his own. Nazar is thankful to have the two vets as his linemates.
“They’ve been great, two guys who have amazing puck touch and really know how to play the game, they’re two of the smartest guys on the team,” Nazar said. “They’ve played many games in their career and (I’ve been) learning from them, what they’re doing, their habits and building that chemistry.”
In a game in St. Louis against the Blues, Nazar scored a goal at 4:32 in the second period to give the Hawks a 4-2 lead. He got tackled by left winger Jake Neighbours, resulting in a large scuffle. In the back was Nazar, who made sure to get his celebration in.
Connor Bedard said that this Hawks’ squad won’t be pushed around this year. Nazar is in full support of the sentiment.
“It’s (the) strong connection with our team and playing for each other. We don’t want to go and turn every game into a show, we want to go out there and play our normal game,” Nazar said. “But we’re gonna stand up for each other, (if) one of our guys gets hit, we’re not gonna take it.”
The center feels like he’s getting better on the ice, even in coach Jeff Blashill’s seven-defensemen system. His game is not perfect, but he’s feeling good about where he’s at now.
“There’s still a lot of things I need to improve on (like) being more of a consistent player and working to round out that game in however many minutes I play, but I feel great,” Nazar said. “(I’m) trying to be a high-motor, high-paced guy and create turnovers and attack them.”
With that confidence comes poise. At 4-3-2, the Hawks are on their best nine-game start since the 2022-23 season. It’s easy to get excited about the visual improvement of the team, but Nazar knows there’s a long season ahead.
“It’s not even 10% of the season, we’re focusing on the next,” Nazar said. “It’s not about how you start but how you finish. (We’ll) continue to play each game, learn and get better.
“We want to be a playoff team. We want to be that team down the line, however long it takes.”