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

[CallMeShaft]

Frank Nazar, C, Michigan (Chicago Blackhawks)​

If you were worried that the glimpse of the old Frank Nazar that we saw at the World Juniors in Gothenburg was just a flash in the pan, let me ease your concerns – he's followed up his eight points in seven contests in his country's colours with 14 points in six contests as he's traded in the red of the American flag for Michigan maize.

The game is now increasingly slow for Nazar mentally as he ups the pace physically, a nice change from the player we saw last season. High-paced attacks off the rush characterized by inside drives and drawn pressure have permitted him to be one of the nation's most lethal transition playmakers. And he's flourished against pressure with look-offs, feints, and enough dangles to fill a highlight-reel all himself by the end of most series.

Now sitting comfortably above a point a game on our 10th-ranked team in the country, Nazar is starting to look every bit as good as we thought he would in college.

From EP Rinkside (who ranked him 5th prior to his draft).

 

[MTU34]

From EP Rinkside (who ranked him 5th prior to his draft).

I think they also believed he had the highest upside of any forward in that draft. I wonder just how highly he’d be viewed league wide right now if he never got hurt

 

[CallMeShaft]

I think they also believed he had the highest upside of any forward in that draft. I wonder just how highly he’d be viewed league wide right now if he never got hurt

They gave him the following awards in their 2022 draft guide

-2nd Best Straight Line Skater
-2nd Best Problem Solving Skills
-1st Highest Ceiling (both forwards and D)
-2nd Best Vision
-1st Transition Forward

Not to be outdone, Bedard and Moore also went 1st and 2nd for best transition forwards in their 2023 draft guide.

 

[TLEH]

Nazar is currently, today, my favorite prospect of ours. I think his game is the most easily translatable to the NHL. I think his edge and tenacity will play well and I think he's definitely a center. You put a shoot first winger on his line and he will flourish.

 

[Idionym]

Nazar is currently, today, my favorite prospect of ours. I think his game is the most easily translatable to the NHL. I think his edge and tenacity will play well and I think he's definitely a center. You put a shoot first winger on his line and he will flourish.

Any concerns about his long-term health given his edge/tenacity + his size?

 

[TLEH]

Any concerns about his long-term health given his edge/tenacity + his size?

I mean always a possibility. But I don't think so. He' young and it wasn't a head/concussion thing. I worry about that stuff way more.

 

[TLEH]

Just ripped one off the crossbar. Nice to see him shooting more in this game.

 

[TLEH]

Frank with the steal and dish to McGroarty. 3-1 Michigan. There is that beautiful change of pace.

 

[Section88]

Games getting pretty chippy late.

 

[Taze em]

TLDR Nazar is buzzing.

 

[Malaka]

Al Iafrate tools .

Hopefully sports a skullet in his rookie year

Edit: @Wally1112pac beat me to it lmao

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

Powers: Frank Nazar looks ready to sign with the Blackhawks. Now it's up to him

 

[hawksfan50]

Ready to sign with the Blackhawks...but NHL ready?

After a weekend in the 2 losses to Michigan State where all he could muster for the 2 games was 1 secondary assist and 0 goals and just 1 shotvon goal and was -2 playing on the Michigan top line?

This is NHL impact ready?

Eitger Michigan Statexdidxa great job bottling hom up OR he was mysteriously off or not up forvthe big games in a rivalry back to back.

Maybecttevlatter caused by him thinking too much about the signibg with tge Hawks as soon as the Michigan season is over?

If not that maybe hexwas not 109% healthy through illness or injury that hevpjayedcthrough it.

On any case if thisxwas alk he could do if not injured or sick,then maybe hevis justcanitger hyped guy doomed to fail in the show?

Really disappointed in his production this past weekend abd serves as a caution to not get too excited till he proves he can impact imthe Show.

 

[TLEH]

Oh 50. Making statements off one weekend.



I posted the clip from Scott's article so people could see.

 

[ploppsdman]

I 1000% need to view more of Nazar but every time I get a glimpse of him I see a slightly more talented Kris Versteeg.

 

[u2wojo]

I 1000% need to view more of Nazar but every time I get a glimpse of him I see a slightly more talented Kris Versteeg

Depending on your definition of slightly, I am hoping for a little more from a #13OA. Versteeg was a pretty good NHL'er that got a little ground down with injury which limited his longevity and what he could/should have been. 50ish point middle 6 winger with some playoff chops is not a terrible floor for Nazar, but hoping he can be more of a 70-80 point top 6 guy who ideally slots into the #2 C for a decade.

 

[TLEH]

Versteeg was an inconsistent effort guy. Nazar plays hard. He also is a way more gifted skater. Versteeg had good hands and a good offensive mind.

I can see a bit of the similarities you mention but I see a lot more than Versteeg.

 

[Remparts666]

I know they are both center but the way he was skating and setting up his line mates at the WJc, it seems to me that he would be a great fit on a line with Bedard

 

[Hawkaholic]

I 1000% need to view more of Nazar but every time I get a glimpse of him I see a slightly more talented Kris Versteeg.

I'll take a 60pt defensively responsible player.

 

[ploppsdman]

I’m not damning Nazar as a Kris Versteeg type - I just need to see him a lot more to shake that initial impression.

I wonder if Versteeg is his floor.

 

[ChiHawks10]

I’m not damning Nazar as a Kris Versteeg type - I just need to see him a lot more to shake that initial impression.

I wonder if Versteeg is his floor.

I would say yes, Versteeg is probably his absolute floor. And I'd be disappointed in that. He should be much better.

 

[TLEH]

My comp from page 1 to now is Trocheck

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

My comparable on draft night was a faster Wayne Presley and haven't seen much to move off that.

Third liner in the NHL who can move up if needed while being an above average PK'er.

 

[HawksDub89]

My comparable on draft night was a faster Wayne Presley and haven't seen much to move off that.

Third liner in the NHL who can move up if needed while being an above average PK'er.

Shh…nobody cares. Go back to the kids table.

 

[Darkstar]

My comparable on draft night was a faster Wayne Presley and haven't seen much to move off that.

Third liner in the NHL who can move up if needed while being an above average PK'er.