Chicago Blackhawks help the Minnesota Wild facilitate $15M transaction involving Marco Rossi

The Blackhawks locked up one of their most important young players by signing Frank Nazar to a new long-term contract.

It's a move that secures Chicago's depth at center and gives the team stability as they continue building around Connor Bedard.

While some fans still worry about Nazar's health, given his 2022 knee injury that sidelined him for months, he's shown steady progress since then.

Last season, Nazar turned heads down the stretch, scoring 10 points in the final 11 games before shining at the Men's World Championship, where he produced 12 points in 10 games en route to a gold medal with Team USA.

This deal likely paved the way for the Wild's signing of Marco Rossi, following a summer filled with rumors.

Marco Rossi agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal after being involved in a lot of rumors since the season ended.

The former restricted free agent posted 24 goals and 60 points in 82 games last season, while adding three points in the playoffs. At just 23 years old, Rossi will now carry a $5 million cap hit.

Signing a bridge deal could be a smart move for the player. Following two seasons of 40 and 60 points, the 23-year-old center is expected to get even better next season. If he can put up great numbers, he could be in a great position to break the bank in three years, when the salary cap is significantly higher.

Nazar and Rossi are two talented players who opted for different routes in free agency, but Nazar's long-term deal provided a picture of what Rossi could expect if he had agreed to discuss a long-term contract.