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Blackhawks' Frank Nazar faces heat from head coach Jeff Blashill amidst scoring slump


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Sam Walker
December 11, 2025  (11:20 PM)
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Frank Nazar hasn't looked quite the same since returning from injury, and head coach Jeff Blashill hasn't hesitated to call it out. The young forward flashed real scoring talent early this season for the Chicago Blackhawks, but now he's lost his touch, and his head coach is pushing him hard to find it.

Nazar missed a couple of games with the Blackhawks due to what was called a 'mid-body' injury, we assume it's likely hip-related, and then he skated through a rough patch while not feeling 100 percent.
His speed and explosiveness weren't there. That drop in skating showed up on the data, and it showed on the scoresheet.
Even with those early-season struggles, there were signs of life-but lately it's mostly been bad luck and missed chances. In his first ten games he scored five goals on 18 shots on goal, but over the last dozen he's shelved 30 shots with none finding the back of the net. His shooting percentage has cratered from 27.8 percent down to about 10.4 percent.

Blashill doesn't sugar-coat Nazars slump

Blashill has publicly told Nazar exactly what needs to change.
«When Frankie gets anxious to create offense, sometimes he almost gets ahead of it a little bit,» Blashill said. «He wants that puck [with] speed, but sometimes you have to slow yourself down, either to win a puck or be in a better support position. That's a big thing.»

He added that there are times Nazar might benefit from slowing the rush and «attack outside a little bit more» rather than forcing one-on-one plays.
Blashill also pointed out that with linemates back-Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teräväinen-Nazar's opportunities should return.
«They do a really good job of getting pucks in the right spots for Frankie, and when Frankie gets in those spots with speed, he's really dangerous.»
For a player still on pace for a career-best season if he returns to form, the pressure is real. Nazar has the talent and the linemates.
He just needs to channel the speed and timing that made him look dangerous early in the season. At this crossroads, Blashill is trying to light a fire-hopefully Nazar responds before this slump drags him down further.
POLL
DECEMBRE 11   |   290 ANSWERS
Blackhawks' Frank Nazar faces heat from head coach Jeff Blashill amidst scoring slump

Do you think Frank Nazar can break out of this slump soon?

Yes, soon23079.3 %
Needs more time4615.9 %
Trade talk113.8 %
Never31 %
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