Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar received a two-game suspension Friday, marking the first time a Hawks player has been suspended since 2021.
Nazar got the news Friday after a phone hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety regarding his check to Bo Horvat’s head in the final minutes of the Hawks-Islanders game Thursday.
Horvat was in the process of nailing the Hawks’ empty net from long range — and did have his head down and out — when Nazar gave it a direct blow while skating by.
The hit incited a brawl, and Islanders coach Pete DeBoer later said Horvat was being evaluated for injury. Nazar received a match penalty, which was inconsequential with the game out of reach and about to end.
The suspension, which will sideline him Saturday against the Hurricanes and Tuesday against the Penguins, poses a much bigger problem for the Hawks.
He’ll join injured veterans Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Mangiapane on their list of unavailable forwards, likely prompting another AHL call-up.
Nazar, who has three points in five games this season, will also forfeit over $68,000 in salary due to the suspension.
He’s the first Hawk to get suspended since former forward Brett Connolly received a four-game ban for interference on former Stars forward Tanner Kero — who was stretchered off after the incident — in December 2021.