“I heard it’s coming”: NHL Insider Believes Frank Nazar’s Season Debut Is Imminent

In the 2022 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks used one of their three first-round selections on Frank Nazar. Since then, despite a tough injury during his freshman year at Michigan, he has developed into a high-end prospect.

At the end of the 2023-24 season at Michigan, Nazar signed his pro contract. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks and scored one goal in three games played.

He went into the off-season hoping to play in the NHL in 2024-25, but he knew there was a good chance he would start in the minors. So far, he’s played 20 games with the Rockford IceHogs and hasn’t made his NHL season debut.

In those 20 games, Nazar has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points which is good for the team lead and 6th in the entire American Hockey League.

Nazar has dominated so much more than anyone could have predicted which is saying something because the hopes for this kid were always high.

His success so far this year has people wondering when he is going to make his season debut in the NHL. Well, one well-respected NHL Insider thinks it is imminent.

"I heard it's coming. I heard he's gonna get his chance" said Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman on his "32 Thoughts: The Podcast".

Friedman also mentioned that the original plan was for his arrival in the NHL to come later in the season but his play this year is forcing them to think about it coming earlier.

If anyone has a valid opinion on anything relating to the NHL, it is Friedman because it is all based on facts he's heard from within organizations. If he says something, it isn't to be taken with a grain of salt.

How could the Blackhawks not be considering it with how Nazar has played with the IceHogs? If he comes up and dominates, he will stay forever. If he struggles, he'll go right back down the the AHL where he can continue developing. No harm can come from bringing him up for a while.

Chicago's East Coast road trip continues with a visit to the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Will the call-up happen before that game? How about before facing the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon? After that game, they come back to Chicago where it is also possible.

According to Friedman, it will happen shortly. It is one of the things for Blackhawks fans to be excited about during this season in which the team as a whole is struggling.

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