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.
Zayne Parekh Makes Immediate Impact in Calgary
CALGARY — Zayne Parekh’s rise through the hockey ranks is no longer a quiet story. It’s a headline.
The 19-year-old defenceman, born in Nobleton, Ontario, made an immediate impression after being drafted ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his offensive instincts and elite skating ability, Parekh is now firmly in the spotlight following a goal-scoring NHL debut on April 17, 2025, in a 5–1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
Parekh’s path to the NHL was marked by excellence at every level. After being selected 19th overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft, he made his debut on October 1, 2022, and quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic blueliners in junior hockey. He posted 21 goals and 37 points in just 50 games during his first full OHL season—unprecedented production for a rookie defenceman.
His accolades followed suit. Parekh was named to both the CHL All-Rookie Team and the OHL First All-Rookie Team. He went on to win the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s top defenceman and was later awarded CHL Defenceman of the Year honours, solidifying his status as the best junior defenceman in the country.
Internationally, Parekh represented Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he played a key role in helping Team Canada capture gold. His ability to contribute in high-pressure situations on the international stage only reinforced what scouts and coaches already knew—this is a player with top-pairing potential at the NHL level.
The Calgary Flames signed Parekh to a three-year entry-level contract worth $2.925 million shortly after drafting him. And unlike many young prospects who require time to adjust, Parekh made an instant impact in his first NHL appearance, scoring and showcasing the poise and vision that defined his junior career.
With a combination of high-end hockey IQ, elite edgework, and a calm presence under pressure, Parekh appears poised to become a foundational piece of Calgary’s blue line for years to come.
In a league constantly searching for the next breakout star, Zayne Parekh isn’t just a promising name for the future. He’s a headline today.
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