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NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks Apr 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks’ 21-year-old forward lands Player of the Game honors at IIHF World Championships

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated May 12, 2025 5:00 PM ET

A handful of Chicago Blackhawks are starting their offseason playing in the IIHF World Championships, which started last Friday in Sweden. With the team’s young core getting more looks together on NHL ice at the end of this past season, fans are getting more excited about what the future of the franchise will look like. This rebuild has been a long and strenuous one, but Blackhawk fans have learned to be patient and trust the process.

While the front office could go ahead and speed up the rebuild to form a wild card contender this fall, they want to take their time with this. The goal in Chicago isn’t to just consistently make the playoffs, rather it’s to make as many runs at the Cup as possible with this group.

Certain young guys like Connor Bedard passed on the opportunity to be with Team Canada in this tournament. The franchise icon has a plan in place for how he wants this offseason to go ahead of his third NHL season, and nobody blames him one bit for wanting to focus on certain parts of his training rather than playing in more games. Bedard played in all 82 games for Chicago this past season, and he knows that his speed is something he wants to address this summer off the ice.

Some of the young players participating in the IIHF World Championships from the Blackhawks have made the most of their opportunities so far, including one of the organization’s 2022 first-round draft choices.

Frank Nazar took home Player of the Game honors on Sunday

Frank Nazar netted two first period goals in Team USA’s 6-0 victory over Hungary on Sunday. He was awarded with Player of the Game honors at the end of the contest, as he also picked up an assist in the victory. Nazar earned this selection to Team USA alongside Alex Vlasic, who also has an important offseason ahead of him.

Nazar collected a goal in each of the final three games this year and had a pair of two point games in that stretch as well. He finished the season playing in 53 NHL games where he scored 12 goals and 14 assists. His total numbers for the campaign don’t tell the entire story, as he had a strong end to the season with nine points in April.

The Chicago Blackhawks need Frank Nazar to take a step forward

NHL: Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks Feb 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) plays the puck against the Nashville Predators during the third period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Nazar displayed fantastic two-way play in his time with the Blackhawks this past season, and has earned his spot as a top-six forward heading into the fall. There were plenty of times where the 21-year-old was the best player on the ice for Chicago on a given night, and he gelled well with veterans Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen at the end of the year.

With expectations beginning to rise with this young core, Nazar is expected to be a guy that stands out this upcoming season. The biggest point of emphasis for the former Michigan Wolverine to focus on this offseason is his shooting, but that clearly is becoming less of a problem with his success at the end of the season and in the IIHF World Championships proving he can score at will.

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning Jan 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98), left wing Patrick Maroon (77), center Frank Nazar (91) and teammates celebrate after the win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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