It is time for Frank Nazar to step up

The Chicago Blackhawks were hit with an unfortunate blow in Friday's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues as they lost Connor Bedard with a shoulder injury. The timeline for Bedard's absence is unknown at this time, with the club expecting to learn more on Monday via Jeff Blashill. In the midst of this uncertainty regarding the Blackhawks' star, reality sets in with respect to how this team will survive without him in the meantime.

The Blackhawks have called up reinforcements with the recall of top forward prospect Nick Lardis from the Rockford IceHogs. Lardis should help provide Chicago with some much-needed added scoring touch. The 20-year-old has impressed in the AHL this season with 13 goals and assists apiece for 26 points in 24 games. We will see if Lardis' game translates to the highest level. Some scouts have questioned whether his talent will shine in the NHL.

Besides the impact of Lardis, one player who will be interesting to watch during this Bedard-less stint is Frank Nazar. The 2C will become the 1C as long as Bedard is out. It is next to impossible to fill the shoes of 98, but Nazar will be expected to step up his game as he becomes the Blackhawks' top center for now. Nazar's performance will play a key role in determining how Chicago copes without their Canadian superstar.

Frank Nazar needs to snap out of scoring drought

Heading into Saturday night's tilt vs the Detroit Red Wings, Nazar is currently riding a 19-game goalless drought that dates all the way back to October 28 vs the Ottawa Senators. During that 19-game stint, Nazar has struggled, amassing just nine assists across that stretch.

This period of struggle comes after Nazar began the 25-26 season on fire, breaking out with five goals and six assists in the first 10 games. Unfortunately, Nazar went down with an injury via an awkward collision with the Calgary Flames' Joel Farabee on November 7. This caused Frank to miss a couple of games, and since returning, he has not looked quite like himself.

One of Nazar's top attributes is his confidence in playing the game. That swagger has not been as apparent during the past month of play, in which the usual speed and jump with which he attacks the play have not been on the same level. One hopes that once Nazar gets the monkey off his back and gets back on the score sheet, confidence will return like it never left.

Now with Bedard out, Nazar regaining his early-season form is a must if the Blackhawks want any chance of getting through this month with a respectable record that will keep them in the playoff conversation. The call-up of Nick Lardis should help in this regard. The two have previously shown chemistry in preseason play, with the two's games complementing each other nicely. Nazar's playmaking ability, paired with Lardis' shoot-first mindset, could be a lethal connection, especially on the power play.

Nazar will have all the opportunity in the world to cook while Bedard recovers. His ice time will likley hover around 20 minutes a night in the 1C role. He will be the driver on the power play as well and continue his responsibilities as a valued penalty killer. It will be crucial for Blashill and the coaching staff to surround Nazar with the right linemates who will get the most out of him.

The spotlight will be on "Frank the Tank." Opposing teams know that, with Bedard out, Nazar becomes the most lethal threat to focus on. This is a chance for Nazar to grab the bull by the horns and show he can be an elite forward in this league. Chicago put their faith in him over the offseason for a reason, with a lucrative long-term contract extension. It is time for Nazar to get his season back on track and take that necessary step forward in his development.