The Chicago Blackhawks are going gambling. Today, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff announced that the Blackhawks extended center Frank Nazar to a seven-year contract at under $6.6M per season.
Nazar, 21, played 53 games for the Blackhawks last season, scoring 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points. He has 27 points in 56 career NHL games for the Blackhawks. This contract, similar to the Jackson Blake extension by the Carolina Hurricanes, bets on an increase in Nazar’s production over the coming years.
Nazar was the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut after playing two seasons for the University of Michigan at the end of the 2023-24 season. Nazar is the first player drafted by general manager Kyle Davidson to earn a second contract. He’s also the most expensive contract Davidson has given out to date.
Nazar scored at a 39-point pace last season. Daily Faceoff has Nazar set to play on Chicago’s second line in 2025-26. He’ll center forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, two veterans with a penchant for scoring. Should he take a big step next season, his contract could rank among the best in the NHL.
The Mt. Clemens, Michigan native has one year left on his entry-level contract.
Nazar’s Contract: Moderate Risk, High Reward
Still, the deal is gambling on a lot of things to go right. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who received a similar extension to Nazar’s, has yet to score above 43 points in a season for the Hurricanes. While a 40-point forward paid like a middle-six player isn’t the end of the world, it’s certainly not what the Blackhawks hope out of Nazar.
With that said, the salary cap is set to increase over the coming seasons. Should Nazar not live up to expectations, his salary is easier to stomach than, say,
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared that this is the largest contract given to a player of Nazar’s experience. “A couple of sources indicating it will be the largest contract ever signed by a forward at his experience (56 games)”, Friedman said.
Davidson Playing Long Game
While some may view Nazar’s contract as a gamble, Davidson believes it to be a risk worth taking. âFrank elevated his game last season and has proven himself to be one of the top young talents in the league,â general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. âHe drives play using his elite speed and playmaking abilities, creating problems for opponents and opportunities for teammates every night. Frank is an integral piece of our team, and weâre thrilled to have him with us for the next eight seasons.â
Nazar is one of 44 players participating in the United States. Olympic orientation camp. Should he make the roster, he’ll represent the Americans in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Now that Nazar’s contract is finalized, Davidson is shifting his focus to star center Connor Bedard. Bedard, like Nazar, has one year left on his contract. But he’ll command a salary substantially higher than Nazar’s.
Where – and how much – Bedard’s contract ends remains to be seen. But, should Nazar’s be any indication, term will be the priority for Davidson.
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