Frank Nazar

2024-06-19

Scout: Austin Kelly

Skating:

Really good skater. Nazar is very fast and plays with a lot of energy. Really strong first step and consistent mobility. With the puck he can just weave by everyone around him. Does well finding holes in opposing areas. He's not as fast as fellow Blackhawk prospect Oliver Moore, but he's probably around the same tier.

Passing/Handling:

Nazar is a high-end playmaker, one of the best passing prospects in hockey. He has great hands and good elusiveness. His smaller stature helps add to his ability to weave past defenders and create plays. Good transition ability with the puck.

Shooting:

Some strong shooting moments. Nazar seems more of a playmaker than scorer but has had a few nice looks at the net. He doesn't create his own chances a lot, it would be beneficial for him. He probably has to increase his shooting volume to be a more consistent goalscorer.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Nazar is a very intelligent player, he has good vision and awareness on the ice. He's shown good maturity in a very experienced Michigan team, and held his own at times in the NHL, showing glimpses of seeming to fit into place. He's calm and mature and plays a hard-working game.

Forechecking:

Defense:

Nazar can get a bit overwhelmed in physical battles and playing the puck. He's not the biggest guy and against a bigger, stronger opponent, it can show.

Best Asset:

"Intensity is the biggest asset in Nazar's game. There's a few area he excels in, but Nazar really does give it his all each shift, and he's constantly engaging and showcasing his effort. With his size, you need to be able to be consistently on, and Nazar has shown he can play at a high level.

Playmaking ability seems to be his standout tool. He's a creative passer and it should be able to translate in the NHL, which is a bit ironic given technically he's done nothing but score goals in the pros. Honorable mention to his maturity. Obviously smaller and younger than most on the ice in both the NCAA and NHL but held himself well enough in both. "

Biggest Concern:

He's not big and physically dominating, he won't have it easy starting off in the NHL. He's highly skilled but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play his full style consistently in the NHL. In his debut, he looked a bit unprepared for the intensity, but he also had a goal, so who's to say what that meant.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

If he's able to overcome his physicality, Nazar could be a tier 2 forward with PP1 opportunities. Could be a 25/40/65 point producer creating offensive chances and netting a few goals if he's able to get them more. Potential to be a 2C behind Bedard, he'll have to fight with Oliver Moore, like Moore he could end up on the wing as a complimentary option for the first line.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Nazar is a hard-working and energetic player, he has the intensity to potentially make up for his lack of size in a big way. If you're able to give him teammates who are bigger and can provide a finishing touch, he can very much thrive with the right pieces around him.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 3 forward with PP2 potential. Depending on how much his shooting can come out, could average out to a possible 40 point player with around 10/15 goals.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

One question will be how much Nazar can push the offense forward with his size. There's moments he looked a bit overwhelmed, which is natural for a small youngster, but will it persist? Will come down to how he responds to the size of NHL pros. Might also end up a winger full time.

Stylistic Comparable:

A bit of a faster Troy Terry in his game. Strong dual-threat offense with the ability to play the game in full and have consistent energy. Terry had that one year in 2022 where he looked like a great goalscorer on a high shooting percentage, good chance the same happens to Nazar in getting the numbers up.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Will be interesting to see the development of him and Oliver Moore, two similar players fighting for essentially the same responsibilities and having similar play styles. Will be interesting to see who wins out there in the end, both are streaky, playmakers with really strong skating. Both could end up fighting for the 2C spot in Chicago, both could end up on the wing.

Games Scouted:

3/1/24 Michigan vs Minnesota

3/31/24 Michigan vs Michigan State

4/14/24 Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes

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2023-10-15

Scout: Jeremy

Chicago Blackhawks

2022 NHL Entry Draft

1st Round Pick

13th Overall Selection by the Chicago Blackhawks

MAIN REPORT

Skating:

Above Average. Nazar is a smooth north-south skater. His strength on his feet could use work, but I think that's something he'll grow into and succeed with.

Puck handling:

Elite. Nazar seems to not even lose speed when carrying the puck, his quick hands combined with his speed make it hard to take it from him too, and he is a pinpoint passer.

Shot:

Average. Nazar did not shoot much in the games I watched him, so I'm open to a revision on this, but it seems the majority of his goals are going to be close-range or due to his ability to get open, not wiring shots off the rush or on one-timers.

IQ (vision, offensive and defensive anticipation, panic meter):

Elite. Nazar is infinitely patient with the puck. He's mastered the art of holding onto it for guys to get open without holding it too long and losing it.

Defense:

Above Average. Nazar is a responsible player in his own zone, but not a standout one. Still, coaches should have no problem playing him big minutes. His strength defensively actually comes on the forecheck, where he is often applying pressure to opposing D with his speed.

Best Asset:

Puck handling and Vision – he's good at finding the open guy and not over-stickhandling.

Biggest Concern:

Size. He gets muscled off of pucks easily and loses battles in corners. The good thing is he isn't afraid to take on bigger guys, so when he does fill out he should start succeeding more.

Top Tier Potential:

Tier 1. Nazar has definitive 100 point upside if he hits his ceiling.

Most Likely Tier:

Tier 2. I think Nazar will settle in nicely with at least 70 points annually. My concern is his BASH – he doesn't hit or block much, and his shot dropoff was precipitous from USNTDP to NCAA.

Stylistic Comparable:

Jack Hughes. I like the way Nazar's head is always up and he's moving his feet with and without the puck. He's going to be a headache to cover once his body fills out and he adjusts to the NHL game.

GAME REPORTS

Date: 3/18/23

League: NCAA

Team: Michigan

Opponent: Minnesota

Score: 4-3 win

Notable Stats (G, A, SOG, TOI, etc): 13:55 TOI, 1 SOG

Passing/Stickhandling:

Good hands, comfortable carrying the puck. Makes stick-to-stick passes.

Shooting:

Over-passes at times.

Skating:

Solid. Plays a north-south game, but really good at closing down time and space of opponents.

Defense:

Can close down defenders on the forecheck well. Also did a good job of getting his stick in a few passing lanes today.

Decision Making/Panic Meter/IQ:

Made a few bad pass decisions, but all-in-all is confident with the puck.

Standout skill today:

Skating

What was missing today?:

No nose for the net. Got himself open, but wasn't willing to create off the rush.

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Date: 3/11/23

League: NCAA

Team: Michigan

Opponent: Ohio State

Score: 7-3 win

Notable Stats (G, A, SOG, TOI, etc): 15:50 TOI, 1A

Passing/Stickhandling:

Good with the puck on his stick. Also shoutout to his faceoffs this game. This could be an underrated asset of his game even.

Shooting:

No shots this game, but had some attempts. His wrist shot windup may be too slow to get off at times. He'll need to work on that.

Skating:

Solid skating until he gets hit. Is good at wrapping around the net and creating a step there.

Defense:

Gets back into position well.

Decision Making/Panic Meter/IQ:

Really good at holding onto the puck the right amount of time. Waits for someone to be open, but doesn't hold on long enough to lose it.

Standout skill today:

Faceoffs

What was missing today?:

Still no shooting.

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Date: 1/5/22

League: U18 WJC

Team: USA

Opponent: Sweden

Score: 6-4 loss

Notable Stats (G, A, SOG, TOI, etc): 13:18 TOI, 1G, 2 SOG

Passing/Stickhandling:

Very comfortable with the puck. Quick hands and crisp passes.

Shooting:

Good finishing ability, but not a cannon of a shot. Good at creating space for himself and then putting one on-net.

Skating:

He's fast and willing to take guys on in the corner and along the boards, but often loses those battles.

Defense:

Not particularly noticeable, but he does hustle back and seems to play well positionally. Notable that he was playing PK minutes too.

Decision Making/Panic Meter/IQ:

Low panic meter, good decision making. Very active off the puck – often puts himself in good spots for a tip or a rebound.

Standout skill today:

His speed and stick skill created chances a few times.

What was missing today?:

Didn't seem to have that physical drive to win battles along the boards.