On Friday, one day after the news of his seven-year contract extension, Frank Nazar of the Chicago Blackhawks met with the media over Zoom. 

Nazar spoke on a variety of topics, but one thing he talked about stood out above all. That is his hyper-focus on being the best player he can be. 

This is outstanding news for the Chicago Blackhawks, because guys can fade once they get paid. Nazar, a young player, only wants to get better from here. Yes, becoming a point-per-game player would make his contract look very team-friendly, but there is a ton of money to be made once this contract expires and he's in his prime. 

"I always say how much I believe in myself, and I'm just very confident in what I can do." Frank Nazar said. 

It's important to be confident in yourself when you're a professional athlete. Nazar, for only having 56 NHL games under his belt, knows how good he can be when things are going right for him.

What he's being told by the organization with this deal and the production he's had on the ice should be more than enough validation. 

"I always go into everything thinking I'm the best," Nazar said. "[If] you don't think you're the best, then you probably shouldn't be playing hockey."

Nazar, right there with Connor Bedard, is one of the most important forwards in the organization. He went from being a mid-first round pick to a potential core piece for the franchise. Nazar has no plans to stop doing what works for him in his quest to be a consistently productive player. 

"I'm going to go into each season thinking I'm the best and just believing in my process and what I can do." Nazar continued.  "I don't think anything changes from me."

Nazar had nine points (5-4--9) in the final eight games of the regular season. That includes the overtime game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators, which ended the season for the Blackhawks.

After that, he went to the IIHF World Championships with Team USA and was one of their best players en route to their first Gold Medal in almost a century. This confidence and will to be the best played a key role in his evolution. 

Even when he was asked what his first big purchase was going to be, he laughed and said he didn't think anything was going to change for him. "I'm still gonna be the same old Frank."

Next up for Nazar is a trip to the Olympic Orientation Camp for Team USA. Being around all of those great players is also great for his development, which he alluded to during the media availability. As long as he continues this hyper-focus on being the best, he will be great for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

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