Frank Nazar has joined the Chicago Blackhawks and is expected to be the team’s second-line center for the foreseeable future. He made a strong NHL debut last season after excelling in the AHL and shows no signs of slowing down. The Blackhawks’ center position for the future looks promising with Connor Bedard, Nazar, and Anton Flander, though either Bedard or Flander will likely shift into top-six winger roles.
Only six players selected in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft have yet to play an NHL game, and the number of players drafted beyond the first round remains limited. Nazar stands out as one of the top performers from this draft, despite being the Blackhawks’ second first-round pick following Kevin Korchinski.
Since the 2022 draft, Nazar ranks eighth in points scored, tallying 27 points in the NHL during a partial season—an impressive feat compared to others who have had two or three full seasons. He trails players like Juraj Slafkovský (111 points), Logan Cooley (109), Lane Hutson (68), Shane Wright (51), Pavel Mintyukov (47), Cutter Gauthier (45), and Marco Kasper (37).
Although some of these players have had a head start and possibly stronger linemates, the Blackhawks’ roster is evolving rapidly, with more big names expected to join in coming years. Predicting who will have the longest or most successful career from the 2022 draft is nearly impossible, but it makes following these players exciting.
Nazar is accelerating his career trajectory and can compete with nearly everyone from this draft class. The 2025-26 season will be pivotal in showcasing how many of these players have established themselves in the NHL.
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Fan Take: This news is thrilling for hockey fans as it highlights the rise of a promising young talent in Frank Nazar, signaling a bright future for the Blackhawks. His rapid progress reflects the evolving landscape of the NHL, where fresh stars are reshaping the game and providing fans with fresh excitement and hope.
