After Michigan was eliminated from the Frozen Four on Thursday night, it was only a matter of time before we learned whether top forward prospect Frank Nazar would go back to college next year or sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
That time is here: the Blackhawks announced on Saturday afternoon that they officially signed Nazar to a three-year entry-level contract that carries an annual salary cap hit of $950,000.
Much like Landon Slaggert, Nazar is burning the first year of his ELC by signing now, even without playing, so the contract expires at the end of 2025-26 season. According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Nazar is expected to join the Blackhawks for the final three games of the season.
Nazar, 20, was originally drafted 13th overall by the Blackhawks in 2022, one of three first-round selections made by the Blackhawks that year. Prior to his draft, he spent two seasons with the US National Team Development Program and became a major offensive player during that time. Nazar had 71 points (35 G, 36 A) in 55 USHL games and 128 points (58 G, 70 A) in 103 games with the U17 and U18 US National Teams in that span. He also had an impressive U18 World Junior tournament in 2021-22 with three goals and six assists in six games.
Post-draft, the Detroit native had a rocky start at Michigan after he was sidelined with a hip injury that ultimately required surgery. He missed a majority of his freshman season, but made his NCAA debut in mid-February and managed to play in the last 13 games of the season, putting up a modest two goals and fives assists in that span. In his sophomore season, though, Nazar showed exactly why he was arguably a top-10 pick in his draft, amassing 41 points (17 G, 23 A) in 41 games while predominantly playing top-line center and in all situations for the Wolverines. He also had two goals in three games during the Big 10 Tournament as well as a goal and assist in the Frozen Four.
Also this past season, Nazar won gold with Team USA at the 2023-24 World Juniors, where he had eight assists in nine game and was one of the most impactful players of the entire tournament.
Just to note, burning a year of his ELC with only three Blackhawks games left may seem like a waste, but there are arguments to be made that such an act can help the team when it comes to negotiating the player’s second contract. Not only will the player not be eligible for arbitration, but they will also have a smaller games-played sample upon which to base their contract. It also was an incentive to get Nazar to forgo the rest of his collegiate career at Michigan and start his professional journey in Chicago.
Next up: 2022 second-round pick Ryan Greene will make a similar decision soon on whether to go back to Boston University for his junior season or sign with the Blackhawks as well.