The Chicago Blackhawks must be feeling great about the decision they made to sign Frank Nazar long term in the 2025 off-season, as he has shown no sign of slowing down in his development. Playing exclusively in the NHL through 2025-26, Nazar has registered 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points through 60 games. Although it is not a significant increase in his production rate compared to 2024-25, that is largely due to a combination of an injury that cost him about a month of action between December and January, plus the Blackhawks being one of the worst teams in the NHL since late November. They did just add the 2025 3rd overall pick Anton Frondell to the fold at the end of March, who has immediately started helping on offence. Nazar has seen an increase in ice-time from nearly 16 minutes a game last season to 18.5 in 2025-26 and will very likely be seeing similar or bigger minutes in 2026-27. Expect Nazar to be flirting with a point per game pace as an all-situation forward for the Blackhawks for years to come.

Nazar has wasted no time making an impact in Rockford, racking up 24 points in 21 games before getting the call to Chicago in December. Since then, he has looked right at home in the NHL, using his speed and hockey IQ to make plays at both ends of the ice. The offence is coming along, and the Blackhawks love his motor. In 53 games last season, Nazar scored 12 goals and recorded 14 assists, earning himself a new contract that will take effect for the 2026-27 season. He signed a seven-year, $46.13 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on August 22, 2025. The contract has an average annual value of $6.59 million.

Nazar sustained a hip injury in October 2022 which led to the Blackhawks prospect being shut down for the season. The Blackhawks organization have every expectation that Nazar will be fully recovered and ready to go once training camp opens, but in all likelihood he will be sent back to the University of Michigan to get more development in before being brought up to the big leagues.

This past season Nazar played with the USN U18 Team where he posted 28 goals and 42 assists in 56 games. In all likelihood he will spend a few years in college to further develop his skills. There are some glaring holes in his defensive game which he needs to focus on if he plans on being a top centre with the Blackhawks. He has become more selective on how and when to accelerate and slow down his tempo in order to control the flow of the game. The raw talent, playmaking and creativity are certainly there. Nazar was cut from the USA Hockey Roster for World Juniors tournament this month. You can expect that he will have a better chance at making the World Juniors later on this year. This upcoming season Nazar will be playing with elite draft prospect Adam Fantilli in Michigan which will only help his game.

With their second pick in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected Frank Nazar 13th overall.