Introduction to Frank Nazar’s Quiet November
Several factors have contributed to Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar having a quieter November than October.
Health Issues
The first is his health. He missed two games with what coach Jeff Blashill called a “mid-body” injury (likely hip-related), then played through the injury feeling less than 100% for a couple of weeks afterward. That was reflected in his skating data, which indicated he wasn’t reaching top speeds as frequently. Against the Wild on Wednesday, however, his body started feeling more normal. “[That game] was the best I’ve felt since being back,” Nazar said Friday. “I think we’ll be good moving forward.”
Deployment and Lineup Changes
The second factor is where he has been deployed. Blashill took Nazar off the top power-play unit for a while, and injuries to Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky pushed rookie Oliver Moore up to Nazar’s second-line wing spot during five-on-five play. Now Nazar is back on the top unit and has Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen back as his regular linemates. Those three have built chemistry since the second half of last season and generally have been effective. During their ice time together this season, the Hawks have outscored opponents 7-4 and been outshot by a narrow 58-55 margin. During the rest of Nazar’s ice time, the Hawks have been outscored 9-5 and outshot 86-62. “[Teravainen and Bertuzzi] do a really good job of getting pucks in the right spots for Frankie,” Blashill said. “And when Frankie gets in those spots with speed, he’s really dangerous.”
Impact of Lineup on Performance
The effectiveness of Nazar’s line is crucial to his performance. With Bertuzzi and Teravainen, he has been able to capitalize on scoring opportunities and create chances for his teammates. The chemistry between the three players is a significant factor in their success, and their ability to work together seamlessly has been a key component of the Hawks’ offense.
Luck and Shooting Percentage
The third factor behind Nazar’s quieter November is his luck simply leveling off. In his first 10 games, he attempted 38 shots, 18 of which made it on goal and five of which went in — including memorable goals against the Blues and Ducks. But that 27.8% shooting percentage was obviously unsustainable. In his last 12 games, he has 52 shot attempts, 30 of which have made it on goal — higher per-game rates than before — but all have been saved. That included a 10-bell, game-saving stop by Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood in the final minute last Sunday, plus two more by Predators goalie Juuse Saros on Friday in the Hawks’ fifth consecutive loss. Nazar’s shooting percentage has now fallen to a right-on-par 10.4%. “[In] the last few games, I’ve actually had a lot of great chances and grade-A shots,” he said. “I easily could’ve had a few.”
The Grind of a Full NHL Season
The fourth factor? The grind of a full NHL season, which Nazar is immersed in for the first time, as easy as it is to forget. Ebbs and flows in confidence are inevitable. For example, Nazar said, the Hawks’ disastrous trip to Buffalo last week gave him a wake-up call about the careful prep needed for the second half of a back-to-back at this level. Blashill has given him two other points of advice, too. “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. And then. . . there are times when he could attack outside a little bit more. [He could] maybe not try to beat guys one-on-one, but [instead] use his speed to get guys on edge and then beat them one-on-one.”
Coaching Advice
Blashill’s advice to Nazar highlights the importance of patience and strategy in the game. By slowing down and choosing the right moments to attack, Nazar can increase his effectiveness and create more scoring opportunities. This guidance is crucial for Nazar’s development as a player and will help him navigate the challenges of the NHL season.
Conclusion
With 16 points in 22 games, Nazar is still on pace for about 58 points this season, which would represent nice career progress from his 26 last season. He also continues to have an unheralded impact on creating power plays. He has drawn 11 penalties and committed only four, leading the Hawks in penalty differential by a wide margin for a second straight season.
FAQs
Q: What were the factors that contributed to Frank Nazar’s quieter November?
A: The factors that contributed to Frank Nazar’s quieter November were his health, deployment and lineup changes, luck and shooting percentage, and the grind of a full NHL season.
Q: How has Nazar’s health affected his performance?
A: Nazar missed two games with a "mid-body" injury and played through the injury feeling less than 100% for a couple of weeks afterward, which affected his skating data and performance.
Q: What advice has coach Jeff Blashill given to Nazar?
A: Blashill has advised Nazar to slow down and choose the right moments to attack, and to use his speed to get guys on edge and then beat them one-on-one.
