Blackhawks' Frank Nazar is proving people wrong — including prospect expert Corey Pronman

New York Times

06-04-2025

Corey Pronman has learned there is little to gain from reading the replies on his social media or the comments beneath his stories. That time can be better used to watch more hockey games.
So, if you've had any criticisms of his rankings, they may not be getting to him. But Pronman does know Blackhawks fans weren't pleased when he ranked Frank Nazar as the 14th-best prospect in the organization's pipeline back in August. At least, I did jokingly tell him. Pronman also knows those fans would like him to admit he was wrong, considering the season Nazar has had, first in the AHL and lately in the NHL.
Advertisement
'I'm aware there was some feedback there,' Pronman said Saturday. 'Sure, he's been nothing but great this year. There's no reason for Blackhawks fans to be anything other than optimistic. With Frank, he could be this. He could be really offensive, play fast and hard, and he'll have a great career.'
Pronman's job is to take the information he has at the time and project it going forward. He was high on Nazar in his draft year. But from what Pronman saw of Nazar in college and at the international level, he wasn't sold on him as he projected him. He questioned whether Nazar's game would translate to the NHL, considering his size and skill set. With the information Pronman had at the time, he ranked Nazar where he did.
But whether it's Nazar or any of his draft rankings, Pronman isn't afraid to change his opinion and also admit he may be wrong somewhere.
'Look at this draft, look at where my list was in August, where it's going to be in May, a lot's going to change,' Pronman said. 'That's just part of the process. Sometimes you're right, sometimes you're wrong. … Like, is (Kevin) Korchinski that much better than (Sam) Rinzel right now? Is that wrong, quote unquote? Did anyone think Rinzel was going to be better than Korchinski two, three years ago? I don't know. It's all a good debate. That's my answer in a long-winded excuse.'
And if Pronman released a Blackhawks pipeline rankings today, he said he would have Nazar much closer to the top than where he was. You can back off him now.
As for Nazar, his recent stretch of play has been at another level, especially if you take into account how far he's come this season. Regardless of people's opinions of him early in the season, Nazar didn't play well enough in training camp to earn an NHL spot. He had to learn the pro game and did so in Rockford. He became dominant there. It's taken him a few months in the NHL, but he's starting to trend in a similar way.
Advertisement
Since March 22, about a two-week span, Nazar has had 21 individual scoring chances in five-on-five play, according to Natural Stat Trick. That's tied for eighth in the NHL during that time frame. His 10 high-danger chances in that same span are tied for sixth in the league.
Nazar has definitely figured something out lately. So, what is it?
'Honestly, I think just more comfortable under pressure, making stronger plays,' Nazar said after practice Saturday. 'It's a little bit of an adjustment when you first come into the league. Guys are pressuring you a lot faster and (with) a lot better sticks. Being able to read guys a lot more, getting in games and practice and seeing what guys like to cover and how you can work around that, I think that's the key — those little things. It's easy when you're playing with guys like Bert (Tyler Bertuzzi) and Turbo (Teuvo Teräväinen) and they're finding me with speed and making good plays. They make it easy.'
Nazar is making more of these plays lately.
And these plays.
He's had his share of these plays, too.
Nazar's confidence is soaring. He's not a cocky player, but he recognizes when he's playing well.
'I mean, I had two breakaways a game the last four games,' he said. 'It's pretty insane. Once I score on those, I'll feel a lot better. It feels nice to get one last night and just know put the puck in the net.'
Nazar scored his eighth goal of the season in Friday's game. If he converted on a majority of his breakaways this season, he'd be closer to 20. Like every other part of his game, he's trying to figure out what works at the NHL level to beat goalies in those opportunities.
Advertisement
'It's always an adjustment,' Nazar said. 'It's the same thing from every league. From travel to junior, the goalies are different. They're older, they're bigger. From junior to college, it's a bigger jump. From college to pros, it's the largest jump there is. It's always going to be an adjustment. For me, I'm a guy who learns from his mistakes and I learn from my opportunities and my experiences. The more they come in the future, just knowing, like I was talking about, making those plays on the D and other guys through sticks and stuff, it's going to be the same thing. As I get used to it more and get more practice, more of those chances are going to go in. Worked a little bit in practice and hoping next one will be good.'
Nazar was mum on what he'd do differently. He doesn't want to divulge any information to an opponent.
'Let's wait on that,' he said.
It does seem to be a safe bet that Nazar will have plenty more of those opportunities. He's generated them at a high rate, and they've come at a consistent pace since he was called up. His 7.96 scoring chances per 60 minutes are first on the Blackhawks and his 3.68 high-danger chances per 60 minutes are second.
The breakaways stand out, but for Blackhawks interim coach Anders Sörensen, it's been seeing Nazar adapt to the pro game in a variety of areas. Sörensen had Nazar earlier in the season in Rockford, too.
'I think just the rapid progression of his development,' Sörensen said. 'I think the last couple games has been really good. That line has been really good, but he's been driving a lot of the offense. … Just his willingness to play in traffic. Yesterday even like driving pucks and making plays off the rush. Just his ability to make plays at a high pace and execute those plays is pretty remarkable to watch.'
What also has to be encouraging to the Blackhawks is how Nazar thinks of his game development. He understands he's riding a high and it won't always be like this.
Advertisement
'That's hockey,' he said. 'It's a different game every game. You're not going to get the same thing every game. It's tough. That's what makes the (Patrice) Bergerons, the Bergerons, the (Sidney) Crosbys, that consistency. Being able to show each day, every night, even though you may not feel 100 percent every game, but if you can feel 90, 95, somewhere close to it, that's a win. Being able to do that as much as you can is something I'm trying to work on and trying to get better at. I think it's the toughest thing to do. But if you can master that, you're going to have a great career.'
Pronman would certainly agree.