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

[Larmer83]

lol, aw, still crying about that are you?

I don't need "balls" to reply to your dumb ass post

Here's my original dumb ass post:
"My preference would be to eventually move Bedard to wing. It's not that I don't see him as having success as a center but would prefer him to not having the responsibilities as a center. Let him be in attack mode".

Is there any evidence to that thought? Plenty.

In the 2023 WJC-20, Bedard(7 games, 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points) played right wing with Stankoven as his center. Here's video of the entire gold medal game. Please point out when Bedard is playing center.


Face-off stats from the 2023 WJC-20

IIHF - Statistics 2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

IIHF - Statistics 2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

www.iihf.com

How was Bedard so dominant in that tournament while not playing center?

At the 2021 U-18 Bedard(7 goals, 7 assists in 7 games) played on a line centered by Mason McTavish.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Here's my original dumb ass post:
"My preference would be to eventually move Bedard to wing. It's not that I don't see him as having success as a center but would prefer him to not having the responsibilities as a center. Let him be in attack mode".

Is there any evidence to that thought? Plenty.

In the 2023 WJC-20, Bedard(7 games, 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points) played right wing with Stankoven as his center. Here's video of the entire gold medal game. Please point out when Bedard is playing center.


Face-off stats from the 2023 WJC-20

IIHF - Statistics 2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

IIHF - Statistics 2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

www.iihf.com

How was Bedard so dominant in that tournament while not playing center?

At the 2021 U-18 Bedard(7 goals, 7 assists in 7 games) played on a line centered by Mason McTavish.

As the person who originally disagreed with your post, I have no problem discussing the actual facts of the post you made.

Yes, there's some evidence that he can be very successful as a wing "letting him be in attack mode". But there's nothing to say he can't also do that as a C. As it stands, he has spent his entire career as a C doing just that, no? And in a far larger sample size of games. To me, that proves there's no reason to move him to W. Why fix something that isn't broken?

 

[Larmer83]

As the person who originally disagreed with your post, I have no problem discussing the actual facts of the post you made.

Yes, there's some evidence that he can be very successful as a wing "letting him be in attack mode". But there's nothing to say he can't also do that as a C. As it stands, he has spent his entire career as a C doing just that, no? And in a far larger sample size of games. To me, that proves there's no reason to move him to W. Why fix something that isn't broken?

Which is why my original post had "It's not that I don't see him as having success as a center but would prefer him to not having the responsibilities as a center".

 

[ChiHawks10]

Which is why my original post had "It's not that I don't see him as having success as a center but would prefer him to not having the responsibilities as a center".

But why? If he's up for it, and he's successful as a C(as he has been his entire career), then why change that? Again, why fix something that isn't broken?

 

[CallMeShaft]

Bedard is a center until he proves he's not.

Nazar likely ends up at wing as a result, but even that isn't certain.

Let's just be happy that we got some good center depth coming.

 

[migi]

Let’s go Nazar!

 

[WarriorofTime]

Which is why my original post had "It's not that I don't see him as having success as a center but would prefer him to not having the responsibilities as a center".

You don't move a Canadian kid off of Center. Look at all the best Canadian Forwards in the 2020s, they all play Center except Marner because he sucks at faceoffs. As long as Bedard doesn't suck at faceoffs, he stays at Center. It's basically an insult to a current generation Canadian forward if you move him to Wing, it's viewed a consolation prize for forwards not good enough for Center, like moving a pitching prospect to the bullpen in Baseball.

I know I'm speaking with generality here, but look across the League. It's just how it is in Canada from minor hockey down. You don't move Bedard to Wing unless you have to.

 

[Larmer83]

You don't move a Canadian kid off of Center. Look at all the best Canadian Forwards in the 2020s, they all play Center except Marner because he sucks at faceoffs. As long as Bedard doesn't suck at faceoffs, he stays at Center. It's basically an insult to a current generation Canadian forward if you move him to Wing, it's viewed a consolation prize for forwards not good enough for Center, like moving a pitching prospect to the bullpen in Baseball.

I know I'm speaking with generality here, but look across the League. It's just how it is in Canada from minor hockey down. You don't move Bedard to Wing unless you have to.

Why did he play wing for Team Canada at all the World Junior tournaments if it's so insulting?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Why did he play wing for Team Canada at all the World Junior tournaments if it's so insulting?

That's a short 6 game tournament, he was 17 and so easy to "naturally defer" to the 19 year olds. Not his entire career. Big difference between moving for an international tournament (which is similar to 1st line players that play 3rd line in the Olympics) and a career change that would negatively impact his entire reputation in Canada.

 

[Larmer83]

That's a short 6 game tournament, he was 17 and so easy to "naturally defer" to the 19 year olds. Not his entire career. Big difference between moving for an international tournament (which is similar to 1st line players that play 3rd line in the Olympics) and a career change that would negatively impact his entire reputation in Canada.

I'll buy that.

 

[clydesdale line]

Jonathan Toews played wing in the Olympics on that Toews - Bergeron - Nash line. Its a short tournament showcase. Not the end all.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

After Nazar led the Summer Showcase in scoring with 5 goals and 3 assists in 4 games - Nazar's Michigan teammate Rutger McGroaty was quoted - "Frankie's back, baby!".

That sounds good.

 

[Wally1112pac]

After Nazar led the Summer Showcase in scoring with 5 goals and 3 assists in 4 games - Nazar's Michigan teammate Rutger McGroaty was quoted - "Frankie's back, baby!".

That sounds good.

Good.

Let's hope he stays healthy all season and produces a lot of points.

Than he can sign his NHL contract and center the 2nd line next season.

 

[BobbyJet]

That's a short 6 game tournament, he was 17 and so easy to "naturally defer" to the 19 year olds. Not his entire career. Big difference between moving for an international tournament (which is similar to 1st line players that play 3rd line in the Olympics) and a career change that would negatively impact his entire reputation in Canada.

I don't mind floating the idea of Bedard as a winger. I think his major asset will always be his sniping ability and that must be utilized to the max.

 

[giza]

He's going to be a heck of a player----he was drafted mid-first and I think that was a steal.

 

[Styles]

 

[Malaka]

See PFP

 

[Kevin Musto]

Gonna be really fun at the end of the season when Nazar, Slaggert, and Greene all sign

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[Wally1112pac]

Really excited to get Nazar into the 'Hawks line up at the end of the season.

 

[piteus]

If Nazar and Moore hit, that would be extreme speed on the wings. If they can both play center in the NHL, even better.

 

[belfour30]

If Nazar and Moore hit, that would be extreme speed on the wings. If they can both play center in the NHL, even better.

Moore is probably going to be a center.

 

[ChiHawks10]

If Nazar and Moore hit, that would be extreme speed on the wings. If they can both play center in the NHL, even better.

Up the middle*

They're both natural centers at this point, and both play C in college. No need to try and move them off that unless it's necessary.

 

[HeisenBaez]

Man, the hate the Hawks are going to get from other fans from 2025-2032 is going to be epic.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Worth noting that Nazar wasn't playing on Michigan's first powerplay unit with Brindley, McGroarty, TJ Hughes, Casey and Duke yesterday.

So don't panic if you aren't seeing eye-popping stats.