Blackhawks sign Frank Nazar to seven-year, $46 million extension

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Frank Nazar to a seven-year contract extension worth about $46 million, a move the team characterized as a long-term commitment to a player they believe will be a cornerstone of their rebuild. The deal carries an annual cap hit of approximately $6.59 million and does not begin until the 2026-27 season, after Nazar finishes his current entry-level contract.

Nazar, 21, was selected 13th overall in the 2022 draft and has spent the last two seasons bridging college hockey and the NHL. He appeared in 56 career NHL games, tallying 27 points, including 12 goals and 14 assists in 53 games last season. He began the year in the American Hockey League with Rockford before earning a midseason call-up in December and finishing strong, scoring in multiple late-season stretches and finishing the season among Chicago’s top forwards. His continued development culminated in a standout performance for Team USA at the World Championship, where he led the Americans with six goals and six assists in 10 games as the United States captured the gold medal.

The contract is part of a broader strategic approach by the Blackhawks as they try to stabilize a rapidly...