The NHL is on watch as a Chicago Blackhawks forward is expected to break out next season
Photo credit: Chicago Hockey Now
The rest of the NHL will be put on notice per Sports Illustrated's Jacob Punturi about the talent of Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar this year.
Things have not gone right for the Chicago Blackhawks over the last several years, as they've been among the NHL's worst clubs.
The good news is that they've gotten three consecutive top-3 picks, led by 2023 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.
But another player poised to take another step this year is Frank Nazar, who was taken with the 13th overall pick by the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
After playing with the NCAA's Michigan Wolverines, Nazar made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2023-24 and scored once in the 3 games he played on his very 1st shot on goal.
He also had 24 points (11G, 13A) in 21 games with the AHL affiliate Rockford Ice Hogs.
He then played a career-best 53 games this year with Chicago and had 26 points (12G, 14A) and was one of the Blackhawks' more consistent players.
Will next year be a true breakout year for him? Jacob Punturi of Sports Illustrated believes so, even predicting he could reach as high as 60 points .
There might not be a breakout candidate more primed to do damage than Frank Nazar in Chicago. He dominated the AHL for the first quarter of last season and forced a call-up to the NHL. Over 53 games with the Blackhawks, he scored 12 goals and added 14 assists for 26 points. It was an impressive debut, and it's just the start.
The 21-year-old forward is a dynamic offensive player. The Blackhawks are looking for someone to become the running mate for Connor Bedard, and Nazar can become a 25-goal, 60 point player in his sophomore season.
The 21-year-old forward is a dynamic offensive player. The Blackhawks are looking for someone to become the running mate for Connor Bedard, and Nazar can become a 25-goal, 60 point player in his sophomore season.
Nazar will likely center Chicago's 2nd line with Tyler Bertuzzi and newly-acquired Andrei Burakovsky.
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