How Blackhawks plan to develop center prospect Frank Nazar in Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill.

The Chicago Blackhawks went out this past offseason and added a lot of veterans.

From forwards to defensemen to a goalie, the Blackhawks brought in players who could be plugged in throughout their lineup.

The one position where the Blackhawks didnt add an obvious player was at second-line center.

While there was a chance Philipp Kurashev , Lukas Reichel , Andreas Athanasiou or someone else might prove worthy to play that role, the Blackhawks held that spot somewhat open.

Advertisement That was largely done because the Blackhawks wanted to see whether Frank Nazar, one of their top center prospects, could win the job.

He was drafted with the 13th pick in 2022 to be a top-six center and looked promising in his few NHL preseason games this season.

The Blackhawks werent sure whether the 20-year-old Nazar was ready for that next step yet, but they were willing to give him the opportunity.

That audition didnt go as well as Nazar or the Blackhawks hoped and he was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL to start the season.

He and the Blackhawks are optimistic its just a temporary stop before he gets to where they all expect him to be.

The Blackhawks still plan on him being their second-line center of the future.

I thought (his preseason) was strong, perhaps just not enough to kick the door down and jump into the NHL, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson recently said.

But theres some things we really liked about Franks game, and you can just see hes such a smart player.

He can make these plays that not a lot of other players can make.

We love his pace.

I think its just getting used to the pro game.

Consistency for any young player is a big thing, but consistency using what hes best at, his assets to his advantage, I think is something thats best repped out in Rockford.

But I thought he was really good.

I wouldnt say he had a below-average camp or an average game.

I thought he had a really good camp.

Just we had bodies here and it just wasnt enough to kind of bump someone out of a spot at the NHL level.

But hes got every opportunity to go down there and show us that he is ready to come up and stay.

Nazar is already doing that.

Three games into his AHL stint, Nazar has been showing signs hes going to be ready sooner than later to return to Chicago.

Hes produced two goals and two assists and consistently made plays on the penalty kill, power play and even strength.

Advertisement In Nazars last game, an IceHogs 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Admirals, he was noticeable throughout the game.

There was one penalty kill shift where he was responsible for two short-handed scoring chances.

He only ended up with a goal late in the game, but he could have plenty of more points if he and his teammates had finished chances.

The Blackhawks arent too concerned about Nazars production.

Its all about his habits.

What IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen is especially reiterating daily with Nazar is to be in constant motion.

Its just his ability to keep moving his feet, Sorensen said.

Hes a really good skater.

I think he gets it as long as he moves his feet and is really active, especially without the puck, that hes engaged in, above his checks and little things like that, and then his reaction in transition.

When you saw his breaking scoring in the preseason there, hes really dynamic.

So we want to get him those situations where he is constantly on the hunt for pucks, if its backchecking, coming back hard and the little things like that, but just get him up in the pro habits and that.

Sorensen isnt the first person to say he wants Nazar to keep moving his feet.

How will Sorensen reinforce that and get him to do it more consistently? I think we try to put him in an environment every day in practice where hes in those situations, where theres a consequence if he doesnt react in transition either way, Sorensen said.

With Franky, I think hes such an intelligent player that sometimes he reads the situation really well and therefore at times he doesnt move his feet.

The more familiarity that he has and the better the road map is for him, so theres predictability so he knows where hes supposed to be, I think that would help him.

I think predictability for most players, if theres a road map, it makes life a lot easier for him.

But if theyre not sure where theyre supposed to be, theyre not sure where theyre supposed to go, I think it makes it hard for any player.

Advertisement Predictability was also a word Nazar used when asked about the difference in his game when hes moving his feet.

Honestly, I think its just predictability, just knowing where my teammates are, whats going on in the ice, not having to think about it, Nazar said after the IceHogs season opener.

Knowing that I can go or do what I have to do, forecheck, just being able to do that and just kind of play freely is nice.

Obviously as we (get) going in the season, its going to get better and better and better.

We saw that last year at Michigan.

As the season got going, started getting better, came back from world juniors, felt really good, thats just how it goes.

Just like any player with NHL aspirations, Nazar was disappointed to be sent to Rockford, but he also understood the decision.

He wasnt overly proud about his preseason either.

He believes hes capable of much more.

Im just going to do me and just do my best to make that team, Nazar said.

Obviously didnt have the best preseason, so I can see from that standpoint.

Im just going to keep doing me, focus on myself, not worrying about anything.

Honestly, I love it (in Rockford).

I think the staff here is really great.

Really good at teaching, good at helping guys learn and understand the game a lot better.

We got a lot of time on the ice and the facility is great.

Honestly, I think its great.

Regardless of how Nazar plays in Rockford over the coming weeks, Davidson isnt likely to rush him back to the NHL.

Davidson has too many forwards in Chicago already, and hell want to ensure Nazar has enough pro reps and has shown enough consistency to get another NHL look.

It wouldnt be surprising if Nazar got another chance come December or January.

Advertisement Davidson did say he envisions Nazar at center long-term.

The Blackhawks have drafted a lot of centers in the past few years.

At some point, Davidson will have to move some, but Nazar isnt in those plans.

I just think the way he plays and the way he sees the game, you know, at pace at the NHL level or can at the NHL level, Davidson said.

We saw a little bit last year in such a small sample size, but I think the way he plays the game and the way he moves the puck and the pace at which he can play, I think thats his best position.

Nazar will wait his turn.

He plans to utilize Rockford as best as he can.

(I want to) fill out my all-around game and hopefully win some games down here in Rockford, make a playoff push and help the team win, Nazar said.

Thats about it.

Everything is going to fall in place.

Thats the first thing.

Once the team does well, individually, guys and yourself do well.

Thats what Im going to focus on.

(Photo: Gary A.

Vasquez / USA Today).

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