Prospect Info: (F) Frank Nazar - 2022 NHL Draft, 13th Overall

[Kevin Musto]

All indications are this is a potential home run pick if things go right with his development

Probably safe to say he is firmly established as likely our #1 prospect at this point. His upside seems greater then Korchinski and Reichel

Yup, Nazar is now by far the best prospect in Chicago's pool

 

[hawksrule]

video says nazar is another fancy stats darling for controlled entries and exits, this trade could be a home run

That video is sick. Wow!

 

[giza]

I think this will turn into the best player in this draft for the Hawks...and we saw the light on Dach, didn't compound a mistake and moved ahead. Size means nothing unless you want and know how to use it and Dach was worthless in a few key facets of the game.....Nazar is electric.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Why did he fall to 13th?

 

[Kevin Musto]

Why did he fall to 13th?

5'10"?

I honestly have no clue. He was #15 on Bob's list, so technically wasn't a faller, but certainly underrated.

 

[Chuck Testa]

Well judging from that highlight reel, the kid is talented.

Let's hope he pans out.

 

[RayP]

Seems like potentially a perfect linemate with Reichel and their combined skating abilities.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Seems like potentially a perfect linemate with Reichel and their combined skating abilities.

Slaggert-Nazar-Reichel

LET'S GOOOOOOOO

 

[Toews2Bickell]

he just moved to center a year and a half ago, wonder if he goes higher if he had made the transition earlier in his development

 

[WarLax]

Well at the very least, Scott Wheeler is a big fan of our first two draft picks.

With 'second to none' speed, No. 13 draft pick Frank Nazar has arrived

"“He’s extremely explosive, he’s powerful … and to train those two qualities, you need to have a lot of intent behind your training, which is something that Frankie doesn’t have any problem with. He’s very talented but he’s got a blue collar approach. That’s Frankie in a nutshell,” Galivan said. “And one of the things about Frank is he’s one of the guys at the top but he doesn’t take advantage of that. He works just as hard as some of the guys that may be closer to the bottom. That’s what makes Frank special. It’s not so much that he is an elite athlete but he’s also got an elite work ethic. He’s really mature for his age; he’s got real, specific goals.”

To reach those goals, Frank III billets close to the rink in-season as well as in the summer so that he can keep up with his 3-4 hour training days split between the ice and GVN, going home on the weekends. That means going head-to-head with the Hughes brothers, Cole Caufield, Cam York, and the rest of the program’s NHL alums who return in the offseason."

More high character and work ethic. Give me more!

 

[Kevin Musto]

Watched an interview where Nazar said his favourite guy to play with is Lane Hutson

 

[TheFridge]

Nazar’s rights are held by London in the OHL. Hopefully he’ll end up there. If he does, I’ll have lots of write ups throughout the year on him, Hayes and Ludwinski.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Nazar’s rights are held by London in the OHL. Hopefully he’ll end up there. If he does, I’ll have lots of write ups throughout the year on him, Hayes and Ludwinski.

Haha won't happen.

Michigan native committed to University of Michigan. He's not forfeiting to play in London.

 

[TheFridge]

Haha won't happen.

Michigan native committed to University of Michigan. He's not forfeiting to play in London.

He spoke in his post-draft interview about wanting to go to a rebuilding team. Wanting to get to the NHL as fast as possible. Not many places with a better track record for getting players to the NHL quickly than London and the Hunters.

If you assume Nazar is a one-and-done or at most two-year college player, I think going the Junior route makes sense.

 

[clydesdale line]

Haha won't happen.

Michigan native committed to University of Michigan. He's not forfeiting to play in London.

Yea unless the Hawks staff and/or his agent are really in the ear about way more playing time in London to help his development or something, very slim chance he goes to the OHL.

 

[Kevin Musto]

He spoke in his post-draft interview about wanting to go to a rebuilding team. Wanting to get to the NHL as fast as possible. Not many places with a better track record for getting players to the NHL quickly than London and the Hunters.

If you assume Nazar is a one-and-done or at most two-year college player, I think going the Junior route makes sense.

They all want to go to the NHL as fast as possible.

We're in no rush.

I think it's best for him to play an hour from home instead of moving to another country. Can't forget he's still a teenager. He's probably dreamed of playing for Michigan. He should enjoy the college experience. It's a good program with quality talent around him. It's an ideal scenario, and he may not be a one and done.

 

[Larmer83]

Nazar will be playing with Luke Hughes, Adam Fantilli, Seamus Casey, and Rutger McGroarty at Michigan next season.

 

[Pez68]

I think there's a zero percent chance he doesn't end up at Michigan. Don't be silly people.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

After reading and watching highlights about this guy, I think I'm going to be a huge fan of him. He seems like an awesome player who will be a ton of fun to watch, and should be able to make an impact in both regular season and playoff-style hockey.

I'm very excited to watch him develop and eventually make the NHL.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Are we going to have to wait and see if Nazar signs with us when his college career is over? I'm not looking forward to that tension

 

[Kevin Musto]

Are we going to have to wait and see if Nazar signs with us when his college career is over? I'm not looking forward to that tension

He'll spend 2 years in college at most imo

 

[Marotte Marauder]

That video obviously illustrates his skills but what impressed me most is when the play isn't clean, i.e. he didn't undress the guy and had to compete for the puck to continue the play.

THAT was what is missing in Dach's play. How many times did I see Dach with his face up to the rafters in frustration? Hated it. Stay with the play, get on your horse and chase the guy/puck down.

Love this pick. (would Barzal be a comp for him? I see it style wise but looking for input)

Overall, I'm happy with draft and where we are headed. KM can't undo or be held responsible for what happened before, he needs to move forward., and he is.

 

[x Tame Impala]

He'll spend 2 years in college at most imo

We'll see. I didn't know he was a NCAA prospect. I'm less interested now and I think that's such a dumb rule that they can be drafted, play 3-4 years of college, and then become UFA's. If you play college hockey you should still have to sign an ELC with the team who drafted you

 

[Kevin Musto]

We'll see. I didn't know he was a NCAA prospect. I'm less interested now and I think that's such a dumb rule that they can be drafted, play 3-4 years of college, and then become UFA's. If you play college hockey you should still have to sign an ELC with the team who drafted you

It's 4 years for the loop hole.

But no NCAA prospect as good as Nazar ever sticks around for 4 years. When you're that good you're either a one and done or you play 2 years, then sign.

I think Kevin Hayes was the last 1st rounder the loophole thing happened with. And that was really just because of the brother situation.

There's no reason to lose sleep over Nazar not signing. Especially since the kid said a rebuilder was his ideal situation.

If you look at the NCAA 1st rounders in recent years. They're basically all 1-2 years then they sign. Keller, McAvoy, Mittelstadt, Zegras, Boldy, York, Knight, Caufield, etc.

Allow yourself to get hyped for Nazar.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

We'll see. I didn't know he was a NCAA prospect. I'm less interested now and I think that's such a dumb rule that they can be drafted, play 3-4 years of college, and then become UFA's. If you play college hockey you should still have to sign an ELC with the team who drafted you

he said in an interview with nhl network that he'll be glad to sign with any team that selects him, Hawks should be a clear path to nhl and top 9 role