Officiating under scrutiny in Blackhawks vs. Rangers as their true flaws show Wednesday night

Nazar, the 20 year old forward drafted 13th overall in 2022 by the Chicago Blackhawks, took a heavy hit from Vincent Trocheck on Tuesday. The play appeared to meet every standard for boarding, yet the officials let it roll without a whistle. Chicago fans felt their temperature rise instantly, and the bench looked stunned by the silence from the stripes.

Bedard received his first 10-minute misconduct as a member of the Blackhawks recently, letting his frustrations loose at the lack of stable officiating at the NHL level.

The hit came as Nazar turned to retrieve a rimmed puck. Trocheck arrived late, finished through Nazar's back, and sent him violently into the wall. Nazar has taken big minutes lately and entered the night with 8 points in 24 games, so losing him even briefly would sting a rebuilding team leaning on young legs.

Chicago's overall record sits well below .500, so moments like this magnify deeper frustrations. When a young corps is fighting to establish confidence, a missed call that risks a key prospect's health becomes more than a single oversight. It becomes a symbol of a league that still cannot deliver consistent protection for its skilled players.

The NHL insists its standards are clear, yet fans watch similar hits get punished one night and ignored the next. Many Chicago supporters flat out said this was a textbook boarding call, then pointed to several recent fines and suspensions league wide that set a contradictory precedent. These reactions speak to a trust problem the NHL has not solved.

As an observer, I felt the same jolt fans expressed. If the league wants creativity and speed, it must reward players who keep their feet moving instead of those who take advantage of vulnerable moments.

The clip circulating online shows exactly why the conversation persists. Judges of the game should not hesitate on impacts that drive a player headfirst toward the boards.

Chicago did push back with a stronger forecheck after the hit, but emotion alone cannot erase the broader concern. Nazar has been a bright spot this season, bringing pace and clean zone entries that stabilize a shaky offense.
Whether or not discipline arrives later, this moment lingers.

The Blackhawks need protection for their young core, and the league needs clearer, firmer officiating before a scarier outcome forces change.