Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson nu announced Saturday that the club has agreed to terms with 2022 first-round pick Frank Nazar on a three-year, entry-level contract. The contract will have an average annual value of $950,000 and begins immediately.
Chicago Blackhawks sign Frank Nazar to an entry-level contract. Colton Davies Colton Davies (@coltonrdavies), April 13, 2024. Chicago Blackhawks sign Frank Nazar to an entry-level contract. Credit: Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports. Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson announced Saturday that the team has reached an agreement with 2022 first-round pick Frank Nazar on a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will have an average yearly value of $950,000 and will start immediately. Nazar spent the 2023-24 season with the University of Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA, scoring 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 41 games. Nazar finished sixth among Wolverines skaters in points and was one of 15 NCAA players under the age of 20 who averaged a point per game. Detroit, Michigan product spend
Nazar joined Team USA at the 2024 World Juniors, where he recorded eight assists in seven games to help the Americans win gold. He also competed for the United States at the U-18 Men’s World Championship, scoring three goals and nine points in six games to win the silver medal.
Nazar will join the Blackhawks in the coming days and will burn the first year of his entry-level contract. Expect the 20-year-old to make his National Hockey League debut in the coming days as Chicago wraps up their season with games against the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis spoke on Nazar in his Top 10 NHL prospects to watch at the NCAA men’s hockey tournament. “Nazar needed a big season after missing most of 2022-23 due to injuries,” Ellis said. “Mission accomplished. The Blackhawks prospect had more than a point per game while also contributing extensively in his own zone. That’s the thing – Nazar can score, and he’s a great setup guy. But he can also block shots and work his tail off in front of his own net. Nazar is a team player you can throw in any situation and be happy about, and he was a big part of Michigan’s attack this year.”
McDavid has 31 goals and 99 assists for 130 points in 74 games. The 27-year-old is attempting to be the fourth player in NHL history to record 100 assists in a single season (the other three are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr).
