The Chicago Blackhawks have made a major investment in their future with a new contract extension for forward Frank Nazar that was finalized on Thursday.
Nazar agreed to a seven-year extension worth $46.13 million, which carries a $6.59 million cap hit. In doing so, he set an NHL record for the largest contract given to a player with so little league experience.
Nazar has played only 56 NHL games in his young career, but Chicago management clearly felt strongly enough about his long-term potential to commit to him for the foreseeable future.
NHL Insider Thomas Drance Approves of Frank Nazar’s New Contract With the Chicago Blackhawks
NHL insider Thomas Drance, who covers the Vancouver Canucks for The Athletic, praised the move by Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, calling it a savvy decision with an eye toward the future.
“Love this aggressiveness,” he wrote on X. “Buying years as early as possible with talented players is going to be the new meta in an era of cap growth.”
Love this aggresssiveness.
Buying years as early as possible with talented players is going to be the new meta in an era of cap growth. https://t.co/1XnlMxtzs3
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) August 21, 2025
Another NHL insider, Marco D’Amico, is also on board with the deal, calling it a “win-win.”
This deal could end up looking extremely good for Chicago even before it kicks in.
Nazar finished the season on a tear, but, given the serious knee injury history, getting that security is massive for him.
Win-win on both sides. https://t.co/DOkXlthnEg
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) August 21, 2025
Nazar’s extension will begin in the 2026-27 season, as he enters the third and final year of his entry-level contract.
“Frank elevated his game last season and has proven himself to be one of the top young talents in the league,” Davidson said of Nazar. “He drives play using his elite speed and playmaking abilities, creating problems for opponents and opportunities for teammates every night. Frank is an integral piece of our team, and we’re thrilled to have him with us for the next eight seasons.”
A native of Mount Clemens, Michigan, Nazar played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in nearby Plymouth before committing to the University of Michigan. His 17 goals during his sophomore season in 2023-24 ranked fourth on the Wolverines.
The Blackhawks drafted Nazar with the No. 13 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He spent most of the 2024-25 season in the American Hockey League with the Rockford IceHogs, then appeared in 54 NHL games that same year. He scored 12 goals with 14 assists and averaged just under 16 minutes of ice time per game.
Internationally, Nazar racked up 12 points (six goals, six assists) across 10 games with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, playing a key role in their first gold medal in 92 years. He tied for fifth in goals and sixth in total points among all skaters in the tournament.
