Blackhawks sign Frank Nazar to seven-year, $46.13M contract after just 56 NHL games

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks are betting on potential rather than past production, signing forward Frank Nazar to a seven-year, $46.13 million contract despite the 21-year-old having appeared in only 56 NHL games.

Nazar, drafted 13th overall in 2022, has recorded 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points since making his debut late in the 2023–24 season. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.59 million and places him alongside Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski as key pillars in Chicago’s ongoing rebuild.

The signing reflects a growing league-wide trend: teams committing long-term to young players before their breakout years, aiming to secure cost certainty ahead of projected increases to the NHL salary cap.

The case for the deal centers on upside. Nazar’s speed and offensive instincts have translated at every level, from the U.S. National Team Development Program to the University of Michigan and now the NHL. If his trajectory continues, Chicago could be locking in a core forward at a price that looks modest compared to future market values.

The risk is equally clear. With less than one full season of NHL experience, Nazar remains unproven over an 82-game schedule. A long-term cap hit of nearly $6.6 million could become restrictive if his development plateaus.

For the Blackhawks, however, the move signals confidence and intent. After several years of teardown, the franchise is positioning its rebuild around Bedard, Nazar and Korchinski, establishing a young foundation they hope will return Chicago to contention.

Whether the contract proves to be a shrewd investment or an overreach will depend on Nazar’s next steps. For now, the deal cements him as a central figure in the Blackhawks’ future.

A Closer Look at Martin Pospisil’s New Deal

CALGARY — Martin Pospisil just signed a three-year, $7.5 million extension with the Calgary Flames. The deal comes with a $2.5M average annual value—no bonuses, no performance escalators, and no playoff incentives.

It’s a clean, simple structure. And to be fair, it reflects what Pospisil delivered last season. He put up a career-high 25 points, played with physical edge, and proved he belonged in the lineup. No one’s questioning whether he earned a raise.

But it’s also worth stepping back and asking: could this deal have been structured to create more upside?

In today’s NHL, performance bonuses aren’t just for entry-level contracts. Smart teams use them to align ambition with cap flexibility. Bonuses for hitting 20 goals, 40 points, or 82 games played aren't handouts—they’re motivators. And when used well, they can be valuable tools in player development and cap planning.

The Flames are clearly in a reset—not a teardown. They’re trying to build around a younger core. That means betting on growth. Betting on breakout seasons. And often, that also means designing contracts that reward players for exceeding expectations.

There’s no telling how Pospisil’s next three years will unfold. Maybe he continues his upward trajectory either way. But if he does, Calgary won’t owe him a dollar more than the base deal. That’s the opportunity they might’ve left on the table.

It’s not a criticism—just a question of whether there was a missed chance to add value for both the player and the team.

What do you think?
Should more NHL teams use performance incentives to structure deals like this?