Nazar

[Sinbad]

Well so many people pushed for the recall of Frank Nazar, especially the clowns on CHGO. We were told he was “dominating” the AHL and there was “nothing left to learn” at that level for young Frank. The Hawks brass finally relented and Nazar was recalled to spark the struggling offence… here we are 10 games in and Nazar has 1 assist… 1 point in his last 13 games overall.

Is this another case of the Hawks rushing a young player to the NHL?

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[deytookerjaabs]

I wouldn't say that's rushing. We'll see.

That's the ultimate barrier though, great in the AHL and needing to get there in the NHL. He's got time on his side though. I've seen a fair number of Korchinksi shifts in the AHL where's he's going hard 200ft, taking the puck to the crease and getting back on D in no time. Looks fantastic. Again, that's the wall: bringing your game to the big league.

I think there's some deserved frustration from the fans that we want a young kid not named Bedard or Vlasic to step in and break through right away. It's not common, but it happens and we still have a cupboard full of players who could be "that" guy in the next year or two.

 

[WarriorofTime]

To say he was "rushed" is a bit ridiculous. It's his D+3, he played 21 games in the AHL and he turns 21 in ten days. That's perfectly normal to give a kid on a rebuilding team an extended NHL look. I wouldn't have minded waiting until the 4 Nations Break but his play did warrant a callup. I think we're just seeing a kid adjusting to the NHL because the NHL is a tough league. I know people are antsy but a player at his age is going to need some time before you expect him to get going.

 

[hawksrule]

He wasn’t rushed, but nothing wrong with sending him back for more seasoning since it ain’t clicking yet.

 

[Dead Meat]

Keep him up with Dach. He's adjusting to the speed of the NHL which takes time and I think he looked good last night.

 

[ello]

Nazar is at the age where many future top 6 forwards start to produce in the NHL and given his AHL success i certainly wouldn’t say he was rushed. Definitely hoped for more out of him statistically but I don’t really see him as a prolific top 6 six guy in his prime anyways, more of a two-way competitive 50+ point guy.

 

[Mrfenn92]

He’s had what 37 pro games from the Ahl and nhl. Calm down folks.

 

[Crow]

He drew 3 penalties I think yesterday. Weird timing for this thread imo

 

[pvr]

He looked good against the Habs. Anticipates the play well. Still feeling things out, but looks like he belongs.

 

[Giovi]

He looks like a guy who's finding his way in the NHL, not like a guy who doesn't belong.

 

[Kevin Musto]

He looks like a guy who's finding his way in the NHL, not like a guy who doesn't belong.

Right. He just needs reps.

If he goes another 10 games with no points, sure send him down.

For now, just let him play. Dach should get the same treatment. Slaggert too when he's up. Give them time to figure things out.

Both look like they belong. Production isn't everything. And this is a team that struggles with that in general. It's not exactly a high scoring environment.

 

[Sinbad]

To say he was "rushed" is a bit ridiculous. It's his D+3, he played 21 games in the AHL and he turns 21 in ten days. That's perfectly normal to give a kid on a rebuilding team an extended NHL look. I wouldn't have minded waiting until the 4 Nations Break but his play did warrant a callup. I think we're just seeing a kid adjusting to the NHL because the NHL is a tough league. I know people are antsy but a player at his age is going to need some time before you expect him to get going.

Not ridiculous at all. He basically played one season of college hockey after missing the majority of his first season due to injury and a grand total of 24 professional games before his recall from Rockford.

We can agree to disagree but in my opinion Nazar would have been better served spending this year in the AHL, at least until the TDL when the Hawks start dealing off veterans. It would have been nice to see how he adjusted to an extended professional season of 60+ games instead of recalling him after a quick start in the AHL because the NHL team was struggling to score. Now he is just another younger forward; like Reichel and Kurashev; having a hard time finding the scoresheet.

 

[hockeydoug]

Thought it was better for the organization overall to make Rockford better and more consistent but I'm not worried about this stint being bad or good for his development.

He skates like an NHL player but he's young. I think there are good points to be made either way

The only risk for development I would consider is putting him in with a pile of bad and a pile of bad habits on the big team.