The Chicago Blackhawks picked up another victory at home on Sunday and the young core has been coming together week by week. The organization began this season with the fifth-oldest lineup in the league and now has the fifth-youngest roster entering the final week of the campaign. This speaks to the hard work that the front office and scouting department has put into the last few drafts.
Six of the Blackhawks eight first round picks from the 2022-2024 drafts are now on the active roster. Sacha Boisvert and Marek Vanacker should be with the team by the end of next season as they will both be back at their respective amateur spots to begin the fall.
For the fourth straight draft, Chicago’s front office will have multiple first round selections. The 2022 and 2024 drafts featured three picks in each first round, but this year’s draft is similar to 2023 with the team holding two selections. Based on where the Blackhawks are in the league standings right now, they are locked into another top-four guaranteed pick in the first round of this year’s draft just like they were a year ago.
The scoring chances generated in the team’s last 25 games have come from some younger faces, which is a great to see heading into the summer.
Frank Nazar leads the Chicago Blackhawks in scoring chances
Frank Nazar leads the Chicago Blackhawks in scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances at all strengths over the last 25 games.
Individual chances created over the last 25 games at all strengths
Scoring Chances
Nazar – 64
Donato – 61
Bedard – 59High-Danger Scoring Chances
Nazar – 29
Donato – 28
Slaggert – 25(via @NatStatTrick)#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/vMf0V8Ybql
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) April 6, 2025
With how fast Nazar plays along with being a consistent top-six forward since he was called up in December, this shouldn’t be a total shock to anyone. Connor Bedard being on this list makes complete sense and he would likely be the only other name on the team that would’ve been a thought to lead the way in these categories.
Nazar’s 200-foot game has put people on notice all season long and has cemented his spot on the roster for the long haul. As a first round pick in the 2022 draft, the former Michigan Wolverine was always involved in general manager Kyle Davidson’s plans for the future. To see Nazar show up and perform to the point where he is creating this many opportunities shows how much his game has grown since signing his entry-level contract almost a year ago.
Nazar has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 total points in 48 games with Chicago this year. His numbers don’t tell the whole story, as he has been heating up as of late. Nazar has a goal in each of his last two games, with one coming on the penalty kill against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
These scoring chances will only be more consistent moving forward
With the team picking up steam to close out the regular season, there is a much different buzz around the Blackhawks than there was at this time a year ago. Despite the results being similar in the standings to last season, the group has taken tremendous strides this year.
A big talking point entering the offseason will be centered around veteran forward Ryan Donato. He had a career year and is also high on the list of players who have generated the most scoring chances in the final quarter of the campaign. The front office didn’t have an offer higher than a third round pick for Donato at the deadline, so they chose to keep his expiring contract around heading into the summer.
It is clear that along with trying to sign a big name on the open market, Chicago will do everything they can to bring Donato back on a fair deal. While it is important to have as many forward spots open on the roster for the young core, bringing in established veterans who have produced at the highest level matters as well.
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