If the Alex DeBrincat trade didn’t put you on your heels, Kyle Davidson doubled down on the fire sale with the trade of Kirby Dach. Chicago acquired the No. 13 and 66 overall picks in this year’s draft in that deal.
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) July 7, 2022
At No. 13, the Blackhawks picked an electrifying young forward who is headed to the University of Michigan this fall. So what are people saying about Frank Nazar?
Chicago plucked another U.S. national team development program player in Nazar. What the Detroit native lacks in size, he makes up for in tenacity, speed and agility. Nazar showed off his explosive potential popping in 28 goals and 70 points in 56 games, and was reliably relentless in every facet of his game. Nazar’s instincts stand out too, in the way he can feel and elude pressure from defensemen to create space. Nazar could develop into an impactful top-six skater for the Blackhawks as he continues adding strength and honing the skills in his repertoire. He’s similar in ways to the player Chicago traded away earlier in the day, Alex DeBrincat. The Blackhawks would be lucky to see Nazar grow into a similar kind of difference-maker.
If it feels like Nazar’s profile feels familiar, it’s because it should.
And in another ironic fashion. He grew up in a Red Wings family (like DeBrincat), played for HoneyBaked (like Kane) and almost played for the London Knights (also like Kane).— Joe Brand (@Joe_Brand1) July 8, 2022
Chris Peters of FloHockey ranked Nazar his seventh-ranked prospect in the entire draft. Peters called him “tenacious” and said the motor doesn’t stop.
Frank Nazar was my No. 7-ranked player for this draft. He is one of the fastest, most dynamic players in this draft. He's not big, but he's tenacious and the motor doesn't stop.— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) July 8, 2022
Elite Prospects has Nazar as the fifth-ranked player on their ‘Elite Prospects 2022 NHL Draft Board’:
Patrick Bacon of Top Down Hockey ranked Nazar 10th overall and while he believes his size makes him a risk to make it to the NHL, Bacon noted that Nazar brings solid upside to the table in Chicago:
#Blackhawks select Frank Nazar 13th overall. I ranked him 10th overall.
Nazar put up two straight strong years in the USHL and USDP. His size makes him a bit more of a risk to make the show, but he brings solid upside to the table Chicago. pic.twitter.com/LKr1HebPi0— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) July 8, 2022
Another DeBrincat comp of Nazar, this time by NBC Sports Chicago‘s Jame Neveau:
A smaller forward with a penchant for shooting the puck early and often, and all of that with blazing speed to boot. If I didn't know better, I'd think this is a response to another move the #Blackhawks made, but I can't put my finger on it… https://t.co/DPx92rrIRm— James Neveau (@JamesNeveau) July 8, 2022
Frank Nazar has been called the prospect with the most elite upside and a player who can create the best possible play on the ice as a centerman. Here’s a must-watch breakdown of Nazar’s game:
Byron Bader of Hockey Prospecting has Nazar being picked exactly where he ranked him at No. 13. Bader called Nazar “another gem from the US development program that’s churning them out left and right these days” and compared Nazar to Flyers center Sean Couturier:
Frank Nazar III goes at 13th. I had him ranked at 13th. It's meant to be. Great production in his pre-draft year and draft year. Another gem from the US development program that's churning them out left and right these days. pic.twitter.com/bbwZGS4zoj— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) July 8, 2022
Nazar told reporters last night that he tries to emulate his game after Brayden Point:
Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
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