The Chicago Blackhawks’ youth movement has taken a troubling turn, as the team has received a worrying update on top prospect Frank Nazar, casting a shadow over the team’s long-term development plans.
According to multiple team sources, Nazar — one of the organization’s most exciting young forwards — is now facing a significant injury setback that could impact his availability for training camp and possibly delay his NHL debut.
“There’s definitely some concern right now,” one team insider told reporters. “Frank has been dealing with an issue that hasn’t responded as quickly as hoped. The team is proceeding with caution.”
While the Blackhawks have not officially confirmed the nature of the injury, early reports suggest Nazar is managing a lower-body issue, potentially related to a lingering hip or groin concern that dates back to his time with the University of Michigan. Medical evaluations are ongoing, but the organization is reportedly preparing for the possibility that Nazar may not be ready to start the season.
This comes as a serious blow for the Blackhawks, who had hoped Nazar — the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft — would be a key piece alongside Connor Bedard and Oliver Moore in the team’s rebuild. Nazar showed flashes of brilliance in his sophomore season at Michigan and was expected to make a strong push for a roster spot this fall.
“Frank is an incredibly gifted player with speed, vision, and high-end IQ,” said Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson earlier this offseason. “We see him as a big part of our future.”
Now, those plans may be temporarily put on hold.
Fans, already dealing with a challenging rebuild and recent injury concerns surrounding other young players, reacted to the news with frustration and concern — especially given the excitement that’s been building around Chicago’s next generation of stars.
Despite the setback, the organization remains optimistic about Nazar’s long-term outlook. The current plan is to monitor his recovery week by week, with an emphasis on not rushing him into action.
“We’re going to be smart with Frank,” said a team official. “His future is bright — and we want to make sure he’s 100% before stepping into NHL competition.”
For now, Blackhawks fans will have to wait and hope that this latest roadblock is only temporary — and that one of the team’s most promising young talents will be back on track sooner rather than later
