I’ve noticed a lot of chatter recently in the comments here and in the greater Blackhawks online ecosystem about Frank Nazar being potential trade bait. I’m not sure where it started, but I do wonder why. So let’s get into it.
The Blackhawks are one year removed from making a long-term financial commitment unlike the organization had ever made to Nazar. Clearly, this front office believes he’s part of the future core.
If the concern is about the Blackhawks’ center group with Nazar seemingly moving either to the wing or down the lineup with Anton Frondell taking a lot of run at center late in the season, I’m going to hit the pause button with some force. I’ve written about this before, but it appears we have to go there again.
Nazar almost exclusively played on the wing growing up. I’ve asked him about it multiple times over the past couple years. Nazar led the gold medal-winning US squad with 12 points in last year’s World Championship tournament. When did he really take off? After the USA coaches moved him to the wing. And who was on that coaching staff? Mike Vellucci, who has since joined the Blackhawks’ coaching staff.
Beyond just the consideration of Nazar’s new contract and him being able/willing to play the wing, trading Nazar after an injury-plagued season doesn’t make sense. The Blackhawks would be selling low on a player they, again, believe is part of their future.
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Frank Nazar’s Blackhawks Future Role(s)
Nazar suffered a couple facial injuries this season, as well as a lower-body issue early in the year. However, after the Olympics, he and Connor Bedard both came back healthy and rolled down the stretch. In 25 games after the break, Nazar finished second (behind Bedard) with 17 points in 25 games. His eight goals over those 25 games led the Blackhawks.
Nazar also won 51.7 percent of his faceoffs over that span. That component is probably part of the pause some people have in the potential of moving him to the wing; Bedard won 47.2 percent of his faceoffs over those same 25 games.
When considering Nazar’s role on the team, we also need to look at how the coaches are using him. In the 25 games after the Olympics, only Bedard (91:48) skated more total time on the power play than Nazar (88:30), who had almost two full minutes more than the next forward (Tyler Bertuzzi — 86:39).
Nazar also played an important role on the penalty kill. Among Blackhawks skaters currently under contract for next year (a list that excludes Ilya Mikheyev), Nazar ranked fourth in total penalty kill ice time (behind Teuvo Teräväinen, Ryan Greene and Landon Slaggert).
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His versatility as a potential center who can win faceoffs, a winger who could complement either Bedard or Frondell in the top six and a valuable player with elite speed (98th percentile in max speed, per NHL EDGE) who can contribute on both special teams units makes Nazar a player the Blackhawks should be committed to for the next wave of the building process.
Yes, all of those reasons for the Blackhawks to remain committed to Nazar are also a case for other teams to express interest in the player if/when the big ticket trade talks begin this summer. It would make sense that a team would at minimum inquire about Nazar’s availability; he’s under control at a reasonable number and does all of the things I just outlined.
But we need to recognize the Blackhawks’ front office has been and continues to be committed to building their core from within. Nazar is a big part of that future, and figures to remain that in the coming years.