This season was a massive step forward in the Chicago Blackhawks’ rebuild when it came to getting younger players up in the NHL. The team’s final spot in the league standings at the end of the campaign is identical to that of a year ago, but the outlook for the franchise moving forward is much different. With a much younger group of guys on the ice in last Tuesday’s final game of the season against Ottawa compared to the opening night lineup, a clear shift is easy to see.
While keeping tabs on the new faces in the lineup over the final month of the season was a major priority for fans, remaining focused on the young guys who were around the team for most of the season still mattered. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar gelled rather quickly once they were paired together on the same line, but also found success at the end of the campaign when they were split up by interim head coach Anders Sorensen.
When the season came to an end last Tuesday, Bedard had plenty of good things to say about his fellow young forward when speaking to the media at his locker.
Connor Bedard enjoys working with Frank Nazar
Nazar’s game growing on a nightly basis at the end of the season impressed Bedard a ton, and he knows it will carry over well in to next year.
“He’s been unbelievable, how much better he’s getting every game, Bedard said of Nazar. “The way he uses his speed and thinks the game so well, guys get pushed back when he’s out there. His growth has been remarkable in the last…20 games.”
Nazar collected a goal in each of the final three games this year and had a pair of two point games in that stretch as well. He finished the season playing in 53 NHL games where he scored 12 goals and 14 assists. Even though Bedard and Nazar played well together on the same line, Nazar’s production was much better when he was centering the second line for veteran wingers Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out at the end of the summer in camp regarding the future of Nazar and Bedard on the same line. Bedard’s numbers in the faceoff dot improved dramatically as the season went along, so he shouldn’t move out to wing anytime soon. If Nazar was more productive centering his own line, keeping him and Bedard separated might be the best option to begin next year.
The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty of young forwards ready to roll
Oliver Moore’s debut at the end of March was an exciting time for fans. He signed his entry-level deal alongside his college teammate and fellow former first round draft choice, Sam Rinzel. The two Golden Gophers were the biggest names to sign during the season and make their debuts. Moore showed plenty of promise despite not scoring in his first nine NHL games. He plays with quickness that most fans haven’t seen in Chicago in quite some time, which will only help guys like Bedard and Nazar more.
Ryan Greene inking his deal with two games remaining in the Blackhawks’ season was great to see as well. The 2022 third round draft choice profiles as a strong bottom six forward down the line and has an exciting physical aspect to his game while having a scoring presence attached to him.
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