Frank Nazar is set to become the highest-paid active member of the Chicago Blackhawks – but their budding face of the franchise could change that.
Nazar signed a seven-year contract extension worth $6.59 million per season, the team announced Thursday.
The 21-year-old center’s new contract will kick in for the 2026-27 season as he finishes his entry-level contract. He will overtake Andre Burakovsky and Tyler Bertuzzi on the payroll list, as they both earn an average annual value of $5.5 million.
Defenseman Shea Weber, who has been inactive since 2021, technically has Chicago's highest cap hit at $7.857 million, but among those playing games for the Hawks, Nazar's is currently the highest in 2026-27.
The value of Nazar's contract extension is remarkable after only playing 56 NHL games and scoring 13 goals and 27 points. That contract and cap hit could factor into what leading scorer Connor Bedard gets next.
Like Bedard, who won gold at the world juniors twice, Nazar has drawn plenty of attention to himself outside of club hockey.
He was a key contributor to Team USA claiming the gold medal at the 2025 men's World Championship. In 10 games, Nazar recorded six goals and six helpers for 12 points, which where tied with Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley for the most on the squad.
Nazar’s also attending Team USA’s orientation camp for the 2026 Olympic Games.
“Frank elevated his game last season and has proven himself to be one of the top young talents in the league,” Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said in a press release.
“He drives play using his elite speed and playmaking abilities, creating problems for opponents and opportunities for teammates every night. Frank is an integral piece of our team, and we’re thrilled to have him with us for the next eight seasons.”
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted the total value of Nazar's deal will exceed the $45 million Kirill Kaprizov agreed on when he signed a five-year contract after playing just 55 NHL games. That's a big commitment for a promising player.
What About Connor Bedard's Extension?
Nazar and Connor Bedard enter the final year of their entry-level contracts, but Nazar received a contract extension before the 2023 first overall pick.
Bedard has played 150 games in the NHL across two seasons, recording 45 goals and 128 points. He was the 2023-24 Calder Trophy winner for being the NHL's rookie of the year, and he's led Chicago in scoring in both seasons.
Davidson told reporters on July 1 discussions were underway.
"We are talking," he said. "I think that's an indicator of an openness to discuss. He made his thoughts very clear at the end of the season and then subsequently in interviews about (how) he's committed to Chicago and wants to be here long-term. We obviously want him long term, so there is mutual agreement there."
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The 20-year-old center has been eligible for a contract extension since July 1. Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem a deal is imminent, insider Frank Seravalli reported in late July.
The increase in the NHL's salary cap from $88 million to $95.5 million this season and potentially to $113.5 million by 2027-28 likely plays a role in Bedard’s contract negotiations.
"If we're able to get something done, that would be fantastic," Chicago’s GM said on July 1.
"If we don't, I think it's probably more so out of the uncertainty around how the league and the system is going to be growing or impacted moving forward than anything player/team related."
Bedard will almost certainly earn a higher cap hit than Nazar. Leading the team in scoring in back-to-back seasons gives more leverage than playing part of one season, like Nazar did.
In February, The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari examined three different contract paths Bedard could take: one max-term contract, two deals over eight years or even three short-term contracts.
Ferrari predicted that if Bedard signed a max-term deal off his entry-level contract, he could negotiate for a larger cap hit than what he could get on a short-term deal, but it could look like a bargain for the team later on. If he signs a bridge deal right now, he could negotiate a much higher cap hit on the following contract and earn more money overall.
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