Will Frank Nazar be a Chicago Blackhawk by Season's End?

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As fun as it is to think about the future in terms of the NHL Draft, it's important to note that some prospects already in the system may be gearing up towards a future in Chicago sooner rather than later. One such player may be Frank Nazar III.

The 13th overall pick in the 2022 draft for Chicago, Nazar is playing in his second season for the Michigan Wolverines. After an outstanding World Juniors in which team USA secured Gold in the U20 competition, Nazar is back in Ann Arbor and demonstrating tremendous playmaking ability as Michigan looks to secure their place amongst the NCAA elite.

In said World Juniors, Nazar would rank second on the team in assists with 8 (Gauthier 10) and showcase a skill set that (from Blackhawk Up's view) perhaps cemented his ability to play in the middle at the next level. At just 5'10, it was always going to be in question where Frank Nazar would slot into an NHL line. Typically similarly sized players kick out to wing, however the season that Frank Nazar is having (32 points in 24 games for Michigan) could soon give him the opportunity in Chicago to prove his value by staying in the middle.

FloHockey did an interview with Nazar at the World Juniors as he discusses his game as well as his ability to play with skilled wings.

When will Frank Nazar be a Chicago Blackhawk?

The 32nd ranked team (points % wise), the Chicago Blackhawks are a hard working team, decimated by injuries, that lacks finishing and offensive skilled forwards. That really isn't up for debate at this point, it's just a fact and the main reason Chicago finds itself on pace for a 49 point season.

As the NCAA season winds down and enters tournament mode it's noteworthy that if a team like Michigan doesn't go that far there could be some time at the end of the year for Frank Nazar III to sign and play with the Chicago Blackhawks. Already 20 (2 weeks ago), Nazar has had a productive year as eluded to in the prior page notes at the World Juniors and in Ann Arbor. Would he want to forgo another development year at Michigan? That seems to be the question, as the Michigan native now has a premiere role for one of the nation's best collegiate teams.

Michigan v Notre Dame / Michael Miller/ISI Photos/GettyImages

As the Chicago Blackhawks continue to plug roster holes with players from the AHL or from the free agent pool, it's now becoming evident that players like Frank Nazar III (also Landon Slaggert of Notre Dame) could be in uniform before the season comes to an end.

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