Nazar Meets the Media After Signing
Frank Nazar met the media after signing his seven-year extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, and his words showed just how much confidence he has in himself — and in the team’s future.
“I always say how much I believe in myself, and I’m just very confident in what I can do. … It wasn’t hard when you put all that stuff together to look at it in the long run and see that I could be in Chicago for seven years. You know, playing with the team, basically of my dreams. A team that I want to be at and the city I want to be at, with a crew you want to be with, and players you want to be with. So, it was an easy decision at the end.”
For Nazar, this was more than a contract. It was about committing to the city, the locker room, and the vision Kyle Davidson is building in Chicago.
Confidence Built on the World Stage
One of the biggest turning points in Nazar’s growth came at the 2024 World Championship, where he earned a gold medal with Team USA. Playing alongside and against top-level players boosted his belief in his own game.
Nazar admitted that experience taught him what it takes to win and that those lessons will help him in the long run as he looks to bring that winning mentality back to the Blackhawks.
Breakaways and Finishing Touch
When asked about what he wants to improve, Frank Nazar didn’t hesitate.
“Probably score on more breakaways. I think that’s it. Just execute on the chances I get.”
Last season, it looked like Nazar could have had 20-plus goals if he converted more of his chances. Fans saw it. He saw it. And now it’s a clear focus heading into next year.
Summer Grind and Leadership
Nazar described his offseason as simple but demanding — waking up, training, and skating. He relishes the grind, which speaks volumes about his character.
He also mentioned how meaningful it was to get messages of support from his teammates after signing the deal. That type of culture shift under Davidson is important. Treating players with respect and rewarding commitment early builds trust. With his mindset and maturity, it’s easy to picture Nazar wearing an “A” for Chicago in the near future.
The Bedard Contract Watch
With Nazar locked in, attention now shifts to Connor Bedard. Eligible for an extension since July 1, 2025, his agent Gregory Landry and GM Kyle Davidson appear comfortable waiting until after the 2025–26 season to finalize a deal.
Still, talks could happen midseason — it wouldn’t be the first time a player and team struck an agreement earlier than expected.
Bedard’s numbers tell the story of a young star still adjusting. His points per game slipped from 0.9 as a rookie to 0.82 last season. His faceoff percentage also dipped slightly, from 38.9% down to 38.3%.
On the positive side, Bedard’s plus/minus improved, he had more power-play production, and his shooting percentage climbed. That balance shows progress in some areas even if the scoring totals dipped.
No matter the timing, Bedard will get his payday — a long-term deal likely worth north of $9.5 million annually. For now, Davidson is taking a small risk by waiting, but one that could pay off if Bedard takes another step forward.
A Core Taking Shape in Chicago
Frank Nazar’s extension is about more than locking up a talented young forward. It’s the start of a bigger plan. Nazar’s words after signing showed belief in himself, his teammates, and the Blackhawks’ future.
With Nazar signed and Bedard next in line, the Blackhawks are slowly shaping the core that will define their rebuild.
It stinks that the Blackhawks couldn’t sign a premium FA forward, but with the salary cap increasing like it is fans like myself won’t have to worry about teams trying to poach a RFA in the near future. Bedard, KK and Knight next season, then you have Rinzel and Arty the following year. As i look at capwages the 2 to 3 year contracts he’s signed NHL players to will be expiring as these kids start filtering onto the team.
That’s the other thing about KD and staff, this has been a very well thought out process, with completely committing to a rebuild, accumulating all these top 100 picks in the last 4 drafts, and timing out expiring contracts based on the belief your draft picks will begin to make their way into the NHL.
And now locking up Nazar, a kid that reminds me a lot of Bagel but with a better shot.
You’re right on target — Davidson clearly understands that everything starts with the young core, and he’s built a salary cap template around them. The short-term deals he’s given veterans provide flexibility so that when Bedard, Korchinski, Nazar, and eventually Rinzel and Arty are ready to take bigger roles, those contracts will come off the books. That’s smart planning.
The next big step will be roster construction in 2026–27. By then, six veteran contracts will expire, and Davidson will have to surround the kids with established NHL players — ideally guys under 30 who can grow with the group. Add in two more first-round picks coming next year, and the summer of 2026 shapes up to be the most important offseason of his tenure. Combine that with locking up a talent like Nazar, who brings that high motor and better shot, and you can see the Hawks are being set up for long-term success.