The Chicago Blackhawks currently have a standout talent in Frank Nazar in the AHL and he is making a growing case for the team to call him up already.
Nazar leads all AHL rookies with 11 goals and 24 points in 18 games. Many may have seen his talent during three-game tryouts with the Blackhawks at the end of last season, but here it’s another level. Even though the NHL is the best league in the world and the AHL isn’t quite on the same level, the production he’s putting out at age 20 is nonetheless impressive.
Related: Blackhawks: This will be the last time Nazar is seen in the AHL
Nazar is also second among all AHL players in points behind Vinnie Hinostroza (26), and the Milwaukee Admirals forward is 30 years old.
Behind Nazar in the rookie rankings are Denton Mateychuk (22 points in 21 games), a defenseman, and Collin Graf (22 points in 19 games). The next closest rookie in goals in the AHL is Sam Colangelo with nine.
Not only does Nazar lead all rookies in goals and points, but he ranks third in assists (13), third in shots (53), first in power play goals (4), first in goals outnumbered (2) and first in points. -per game (1.33).
The production is just too good to ignore and even though the Blackhawks coaching staff and management didn’t think Nazar looked good enough to beat out a veteran for a spot on the team in training camp , he definitely does now with the way his season and Chicago’s offensive season is over.
I thought about letting Nazar dominate even more in the AHL until the trade deadline gets closer, but he’s shown some excellent stuff as well and is apparently what the Blackhawks could use as a top center 6 right now. I’m open to whatever the Blackhawks do with him as long as Nazar is in the NHL in a full-time role where he can succeed at some point this season and never look back.
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