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Frank Nazar calls out teammates after Blackhawks suffer dominant defeat from Panthers on opening night

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Joshua Deeds
October 8, 2025 (9:15)

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The Chicago Blackhawks' 2C Frank Nazar was interviewed postgame in Amerant Bank Arena after their 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on October 7; we heard his analysis of the game after a defeat on opening night.

Blackhawks' Frank Nazar is the team's newest 2nd-line center. The former Michigan Wolverine has taken the league by storm, as he's proven to be a dynamic forward in the lineup.

He scored his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 14th, 2024.

This year, he made the opening night roster out of training camp.

His linemates for opening night were Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, who produced the offense for the team tonight, with all three players scoring 2 points apiece.

However, there were flaws apparent in the Blackhawks' game, which he offered a full analysis of.

Frank Nazar Believes the Blackhawks Need to Play a Full 60-Minute Game

While the Blackhawks put up a valiant effort against the Stanley Cup champions tonight, there were obviousflaws in their game.

He felt the first two periods of the game were lackluster for the team, and they didn't put in a full effort until the very end of the night.

"Um, I think first period was not great. Um, second period was was all right and
then the third I thought we know made a good push at the end there and and had
some some good times but um, you know, just figuring out how to play that full 60."

- Frank Nazar

Nazar felt the impact the team had on the ice was a result of Jeff Blashill getting the team to buy into the systems that he's imparted onto the newly minted team this year.

A team full of young prospects and rookies, of course, needs time to gel, and this was another case of it tonight.

"Um, honestly, it was more just buying into to our game and our systems. And I mean, we played everyone played preseason games, you know, so everybody knows what a game feels like, but uh more of just buying into, you know, doing it for each other and and focusing what what we got to what we got to do as, you know, on a personal level to to help the guy next to us really. That's it."

- Frank Nazar

One quote of Nazar's that stuck out to us was the Blackhawks' ability to set up in the offensive zone in the third period compared to the start of the game. It's not something that happens by chance. It requires buy-in.

One sticking point that Nazar points out is the team's reliance on Spencer Knight. He felt the team was too complacent, being sheltered by the goaltender.

The lack of consistent play led to him being peppered with shots by the Panthers all night.

"And then there's other parts where we slip up and then they go down and and Niner has to make a great save.
You know, we can't can't always count on Knight being there and put them in a position like that. You know, we got to help them out, too."

- Frank Nazar

You can tell the team has a lot to learn from after tonight, and tightening up the blue line and the two-way play from the forwards would give Spencer Knight a rest and give the Blackhawks a better chance to win on a nightly basis.

The Blackhawks will play their next game against the Boston Bruins at 7 P.M. on October 9th.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Five prominent players end up on NHL waivers before opening night

Chicago Blackhawks' forgotten 7th overall pick is on the hot seat

Anton Frondell proved he was worth the Blackhawks' third overall pick with his play this week

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OCTOBRE 8 \| 142 ANSWERS Frank Nazar calls out teammates after Blackhawks suffer dominant defeat from Panthers on opening night Is center Frank Nazar of the Chicago Blackhawks correct about the team's shortcomings against the Florida Panthers?
Yes	131	92.3 %
No	11	7.7 %
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Frank Nazar calls out teammates after Blackhawks suffer dominant defeat from Panthers on opening night

The Chicago Blackhawks' 2C Frank Nazar was interviewed postgame in Amerant Bank Arena after their 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on October 7; we heard his analysis of the game after a defeat on opening night.

Frank Nazar Believes the Blackhawks Need to Play a Full 60-Minute Game

Is center Frank Nazar of the Chicago Blackhawks correct about the team's shortcomings against the Florida Panthers?