What will factor into Frank Nazar having a breakout 2026-27?

Last season felt concrete for Frank Nazar. After signing a seven-year contract extension last summer, 2025-26 was thought to be a potential breakout season.

And he still had a significant season. But unfortunately, injuries occurred, so he couldn't really take that big step.

His storyline for 2026-27 will be about watching how he takes his game to the next level.

Nazar's highs and lows last season

It's no secret he is one of the Blackhawks' most important forwards. He is fast, an offensive playmaker, a presence on the penalty kill and power play, and is integral l to their center group.

That is why it was frustrating for him that he dealt with a broken jaw that had him out for 14 games, and then he got hit in the face with a puck again in April.

Injuries aside, he put up decent numbers. He had 41 points in 66 games, which was third on the Blackhawks. He had 15 more points than he did in 2025-26. So, there was growth.

As our Justin Lynch pointed out, Nazar has gone through hot and cold streaks on offense. Like every other young player on the Blackhawks, he is still putting all the pieces of his game together.

But Nazar's teammates acknowledged he brings more to the table than just the points.

Connor Bedard said about Nazar's multi-point game in March, “Yeah, I mean, even games he wasn't getting points, he was playing great. I think he was a little snake-bitten, for sure. And he's so important to our team, and such a great player, and obviously nice to see him be getting rewarded, and he's gonna keep doing that. He's someone that's always around it- always around the net and making plays. So, he's fun to watch and means so much to our group.”

March was his best month, as he had 14 points in 16 games. It's there for him.

What could play into Nazar's 2026-27 season?

Head coach Jeff Blashill shared some insight on Nazar: "I think when Frank plays his best, he's skating, and that, to me, is his superpower, so to speak. And so I think he's done a better job of attacking the game using his speed, as opposed to maybe trying to kind of slow it down and go through people. I think he's way better when he's going around people.

"He's just such a dangerous player. And that starts probably in our breakouts, kind of getting into pockets low, where then once he gets the puck, he can attack. And sometimes when you're pressing, you get too high because you want to take off, and you take off too early. So I just think his timing has been better. All that goes with confidence. Like, again, he's in his second... this is his first full year, right? So, it's part of the confidence that you kind of grow and learn from.”

Like teammate Oliver Moore, Nazar also has the long-term center or wing debate surrounding him. He mentioned during exit interviews that he actually played wing up until his draft year, but said, "I play center, play wing, any spot. I feel comfortable wherever up and down the lineup. I just want to do my best to help the team win."

It's likely Nazar will remain at center for now, but that versatility helps.

Nazar more settled in the NHL

When thinking about what else could impact his 2026-27 season, Blashill mentioned the confidence factor, but another one stands out: security.

At exit interviews, Nazar said on being more settled, "Yeah, for sure. I'd say that, last year, I mean, I was basically in the hotel the whole year. Like, I wasn't too worried about going up or down, but, you know, you get called up, and you don't really know what management's thinking, you're trying to impress, stay up, kind of stuff like that. But maybe a little bit more scared to make mistakes. But this year, I felt really free to kind of be myself, play my game, do what I can do. Like, obviously, yeah, I made mistakes, but trying to learn from those, and hopefully be more mature going forward. But... yeah, play free. That's it."

He will have a lot of responsibility, especially helping to center the top six, and with Bedard's absence at the start of the season. But that role is nothing new to him. Now, he is a bit more acclimated from his experience.

I don't think there is any question about whether he will have his true breakout season; it's when. If the 22 year old continues to "play free" and nails that consistency with his production, 2026-27 could be a revelation.

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