Frank Nazar: Injury, Contract, Stats & Career

Few young players enter the NHL with as much immediate buzz as Frank Nazar did when the Chicago Blackhawks called his name 13th overall in 2022. Then came the injuries, the protective cage, and a contract extension that turned heads across the league. By August 2025, he had signed a seven-year, $46.13 million deal (NHL.com, the league’s official site), locking in his role alongside Connor Bedard. This guide covers his injury timeline, contract details, playing style, and everything else you need to know about the Blackhawks’ emerging center.

Draft pick: 13th overall in 2022 NHL Entry Draft ·
NHL debut: April 14, 2024 ·
Contract: 7-year, $46.13 million with Chicago Blackhawks (signed Aug 21, 2025) ·
Position: Center

Nine key identifiers, one picture: Frank Nazar III is a 5-foot-9 right-handed center born in suburban Detroit, drafted in the first round, and already an NHL regular.

What happened with Frank Nazar?

Broken jaw injury update

During the 2024-25 season, Nazar suffered a broken jaw after taking a puck to the face in a game against the St. Louis Blues (ESPN). The incident, which occurred on April 11, 2026, forced him to exit Chicago’s 5-3 loss early. He also lost teeth in the same play and later wore a protective cage when he returned to the lineup (ESPN).

Return to lineup timeline

The Blackhawks activated Nazar from injured reserve on January 22, 2026 (NHL.com, team activation release). He was listed as 22 years old at the time and immediately rejoined the team’s forward group.

The implication: Nazar’s injury history adds uncertainty to his long-term durability, but his quick return signaled resilience.

Is Frank Nazar a good hockey player?

Scouting report and skill set

Drafted 13th overall in 2022 (NHL.com player page), Nazar is a right-handed center known for explosive acceleration and high hockey IQ. In his rookie season he posted 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 53 games (NHL.com). His production rate of roughly 0.49 points per game is solid for a first-year player on a rebuilding team.

Comparison to Connor Bedard

Analysts often describe Nazar as the perfect complement to Connor Bedard — a speedy, two-way center who can drive play on a second line or shift to wing (NHL.com player page). While Bedard draws top defensive attention, Nazar’s ability to create space and finish chances gives the Blackhawks a dangerous one-two punch down the middle.

The pattern: Nazar’s skill set makes him a weapon, but his size and injury history remain open questions for the Blackhawks’ long-term plans.

How much does Frank Nazar make?

Contract details

On August 21, 2025, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Nazar to a seven-year contract extension worth $46.13 million (NHL.com, official team announcement). The deal begins in the 2026-27 season (Yahoo Sports, sports media outlet).

Salary and cap hit

The extension carries an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $6.59 million (NHL.com). PuckPedia records the cap hit as $6,599,991 per season (PuckPedia, salary database). The deal came after just 56 NHL games, an unusual vote of confidence from the front office (Reddit discussion).

The catch: The contract’s total value shows a minor discrepancy between NHL.com ($46.13M) and PuckPedia ($46,199,937), but both indicate a significant commitment.

What ethnicity is Frank Nazar?

Family background

Frank Nazar III is American, born January 14, 2004 in Mount Clemens, Michigan (Elite Prospects). He played youth hockey in the Detroit area before joining the US National Team Development Program and later the University of Michigan (University of Michigan official roster). Detailed information about his parents’ ethnic heritage is not publicly available beyond his American citizenship and place of birth.

Did Frank Nazar lose teeth?

Injury details

Yes — ESPN reported that Nazar lost teeth as part of the same puck-to-face incident that caused his broken jaw during the 2024-25 season (ESPN). The injury forced him to wear a full cage when he returned to the ice.

Protective equipment worn

After the teeth loss, Nazar added a protective cage to his helmet (ESPN). The cage remained in place during his initial games back from injured reserve. Such equipment is common for players recovering from facial fractures and dental injuries.

What is Frank Nazar’s real name?

His full legal name is Frank Nazar III (NHL.com player page). He goes by Frank, and the “III” indicates he is the third generation with the name. He was born on January 14, 2004.

Timeline signal

• January 14, 2004 — Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan (Elite Prospects)
• 2021-2022 — Played for US National Team Development Program (NHL.com player page)
• 2022 NHL Draft — Selected 13th overall by Chicago Blackhawks (NHL.com player page)
• 2022-2024 — College hockey at University of Michigan (University of Michigan athletics)
• April 14, 2024 — NHL debut and first goal (NHL.com player page)
• 2024-25 season — Broken jaw and lost teeth; wore protective cage (ESPN)
• August 21, 2025 — Signed 7-year, $46.13 million contract (NHL.com contract extension)

The pattern: Each milestone shows Nazar’s rapid ascent, but the injury interruption underscores the risk behind Chicago’s investment.

What’s clear and what’s not

The implication: While the core facts are solid, the exact injury date and contract value nuances show that even official sources can vary.

Perspectives on the ice

Nazar is wearing a cage after losing teeth, a standard precaution for facial injuries.

— ESPN

The Blackhawks signed Nazar to a seven-year contract extension worth $46.13 million, locking in a key piece of their future core.

— NHL.com – Chicago Blackhawks

The implication for Chicago’s front office is clear: Nazar’s extension was a vote of confidence after just 56 games, but his injury history means the team must manage his workload carefully. For the Blackhawks, the choice is whether to build around his speed long-term or protect against another facial injury by adjusting his playing style at the pro level.

For a deeper look at how he bounced back after missing 14 games, check out Frank Nazars return from injury for a detailed breakdown of his return and role with the team.

Frequently asked questions