The Chicago Blackhawks have been pretty quiet during the 2025 NHL offseason. Aside from hiring new head coach Jeff Blashill and a couple of tweaks here and there, Connor Bedard and company didn’t see much movement. However, a significant deal has now been signed.
Frank Nazar has become a core member of the Blackhawks‘ foundation in only two NHL seasons with the organization. Barr in mind, he only played three games in the 2023-24 campaign. Still, his production during the past season was enough to convince Chicago it found its ideal partner of the future for Bedard and company.
Set to enter a contract year otherwise, the former first round pick now has nothing to worry about his future. His new deal will become the biggest in NHL history for a player with less than 60 games played.
The Blackhawks announced a seven-year, $46.13 million extension has been signed for Nazar. “It will be the largest contract ever signed by a forward at his experience (56 games),” insider Elliotte Friedman said on X, formerly Twitter. The contract will have effect in the 2026-27 season.
Frank Nazar, 91 of the Chicago Blackhawks, warms up prior to an NHL game at United Center in Chicalo, IL, USA.
Without further ado
Some might say the Blackhawks are rushing into conclusions by handing Nazar a $6.59 million AAV extension. But Chicago is sure of what it’s seen in the youngster. The former 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL entry Draft has passed the eye test with flying colors in the Windy City. Now, he will be paid accordingly.
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So far in his career, Nazar has scored 13 goals and assisted 14 others for a total of 27 points in 56 games played with Bedard and the Blackhawks. The two promising stars in Chi-town are expected to lead the franchise to glory in the future. Extending Nazar is only the first step on the plan. Bedard’s new contract is the next, but that is seemingly being delayed until the summer of 2026.
Dethroning Kirill
As Friedman reported, Nazar will put his signature in a record-setting deal. Once he puts pen to paper, the American forward will become the highest-paid player with less than 60 career games in the NHL.
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After signing on an average annual value of $6.59 million, Nazar is set overtake the previous record-holder, Kirill Kaprizov. The Russian talent had signed a five-year, $9M AAV deal after playing only 55 games with the Minnesota Wild. While Kaprizov earned more on an annual basis, Nazar’s contract adds up to over $46 million, surpassing the Wild star’s $45M contract.
