Blackhawks Recall Top Prospect Frank Nazar; His Connection To Islanders

On Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they were calling up forward prospect Frank Nazar.

The 20-year-old has been scorching hot for their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 21 games.

Last season, after his sophomore year at the University of Michigan concluded, the Detroit native suited up for three NHL games, scoring a goal.

He had a chance to make the Blackhawks out of training camp, but ultimately, general manager Kyle Davidson believed giving him top minutes in the AHL was the smarter decision.

The move paid off, and now he's coming up.

You are probably wondering how this relates to the New York Islanders.

On Day 1 of the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, July 7, general manager Lou Lamoriello sent the No. 13 pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Alexander Romanov and their 2022 fourth-round selection.

Immediately after that deal was made official, the Canadiens traded forward Kirby Dach for the Blackhawks' No. 13 and No. 66 picks.

With the 13th pick in the NHL Draft, the Blackhawks drafted Nazar.

With the 98th overall pick that the Islanders got from Montreal, they selected defenseman Isaiah George.

The now 20-year-old has played 19 games for the Islanders and has proven that he will be a member of their blue line for years to come, even if he gets sent to Bridgeport when Adam Pelech returns from injury.

Dach has struggled in Quebec, with 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 89 games.

The trade is looking to be a slam dunk for the Islanders and for Chicago but a disaster for Montreal.

Romanov and the Islanders will face Nazar and the Blackhawks on Sunday at 3 PM ET.