Blackhawks Sign 'Integral' Frank Nazar to Seven-Year Deal

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Frank Nazar Extension

General manager Kyle Davidson said about the extension, “Frank elevated his game last season and has proven himself to be one of the top young talents in the league.”

There is something to be said about a player who didn’t make the team out of training camp, started with the Rockford IceHogs, and worked his way up to being one of the most important players on the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks were able to rely on him in all aspects due to his production and work ethic. Davidson noted, “He drives play using his elite speed and playmaking abilities, creating problems for opponents and opportunities for teammates every night.”

It became evident quickly that he was going to be a big part of the team’s future success next to Connor Bedard.

Nazar had 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in 56 games last season. As insider Elliotte Freidman tweeted, “a couple of sources indicating it will be the largest contract ever signed by a forward at his experience (56 games).” That’s no small feat.

It’s also smart on the Blackhawks’ part to have gotten a deal done as soon as they did, as Nazar is still on his entry-level contract, but became eligible for an extension on July 1. With the rising salary cap and the AAV they locked him in at, this deal seems like a win every which way.

By looking around the league, for example, the New Jersey Devils locked Jack Hughes into an eight-year extension while on his entry-level deal ($8 million AAV) in 2021, which has aged fantastically for the young star. Or Brandon Hagel on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who got an eight-year extension ($6.5 million AAV) in 2023, and was 11^th-best in scoring in the NHL last season, making his deal a steal.

You could also look at the deal the Blackhawks gave 24-year-old defenseman Alex Vlasic last April, which was six years ($4.6 million AAV). You get the point. These deals are noteworthy. As Nazar continues to grow in his game, especially after coming off an exciting summer where he won gold at the World Championships, including earning himself an invite to Team USA’s Olympic Orientation Camp with Vlasic, this extension can only benefit Chicago.

21-year-old Nazar has made a name for himself in the NHL in a short amount of time, and next season, which will be his first full NHL season, he is projected to have a strong year.

As the Hawks look to take steps forward, these performances and extensions from their prospects are exactly how they hoped things would pan out. As Davidson stated, “Frank is an integral piece of our team, and we’re thrilled to have him with us for the next eight seasons.”