{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/VznCD0qi.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Frank Nazar - Sept. 27 Blackhawks Media Availability", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/VznCD0qi-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/VznCD0qi.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/VznCD0qi.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-aCPLPTFp.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 283281, "filesize": 1133127, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-SaqwCAjT.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 446177, "filesize": 1784710, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-kBwZYhAq.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1213422, "filesize": 4853690, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-qUIt7Frh.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 115471, "filesize": 461885 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-QkDGBSN3.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 2949181, "filesize": 11796727, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-EYNgc8n9.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 469167, "filesize": 1876671, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VznCD0qi-DgpOVQkc.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 809086, "filesize": 3236346, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Chicago Blackhawks don't seem ready to call Frank Nazar up to the NHL just yet, but when the time is right, he will be brought up and stay up." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Chicago got a small preview of what Nazar is capable of at the end of last season when the young center played three games and scored a goal. Since the Blackhawks brought in a bunch of veterans to bolster the lineup in the summer, it didn't give the younger players much of a chance to make the team if they still had waiver exemption, Nazar included." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The top Blackhawks forward prospect had been lighting up the AHL for the Rockford IceHogs and the team has most definitely taken notice. There is technically a roster spot available since Andreas Athanasiou was placed on waivers, so I'm wondering if Chicago is deciding what to do with it or if there's a plan in place. The team is clearly not in a hurry to roster 23 players at this moment." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nazar is leading the IceHogs by a wide margin in points and also has the team lead in goals. He has 10 goals and 21 points in just 17 games. The next closest skater in both categories is Colton Dach with seven goals and 15 points." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nazar isn't just a leader on the IceHogs, he's also tied for eighth in the AHL in points and has fewer games played than four players in front of him at 20 years old." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Blackhawks need a top-6 center, that much has been made clear by what the team has shown, but there really isn't a quick fix that can get them into contention this season. That's alright as expectations coming into 2024-25 was to just get better, not necessarily become contenders." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NzQ1MDIyOTYyODM2OTMz/frank-nazar-iii.jpg" }, "caption": "Frank Nazar." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "So far this season, Chicago has actually dropped by one spot as the team is 32nd in the NHL in points. The Blackhawks have gone from 2.17 goals for per game (GF/GP) and 3.52 goals against per game (GA/GP) last season to 2.50 GF/GP and 3.08 GA/GP in 2024-25. The team also finished last season with 52 points and a win% of .317. The Blackhawks this season are on pace to finish with 61 points and currently have a win% of .375." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nazar will get called up to the NHL this season. The decision making of the Blackhawks should be questioned if he isn't with where his game is at. It's hard to say whether he actually needed the development in the AHL or he would have been able to step into the Blackhawks immediately, but either way, his time with the IceHogs is doing him well." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "His confidence is at a high right now and at the very latest, the Blackhawks should be giving Nazar his first and only call up to the NHL by the trade deadline. This gives him more time to dominate, there will be some more spots freed up on the team, and he won't look back. He has more than proved his capabilities and his value to Chicago moving forward as the future second line center." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Recent Blackhawks News", "level": 3 } } ] }

Blackhawks: This Will Be the Last Time Nazar is Seen in the AHL