Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar returned to practice on Sunday, his first on-ice game with the team since Dec. 20.
“It’s good to be back with the guys and skating, and I had a lot of fun today,” Nizar said. “They are playing really well to start the year, so I feel like coming back and doing my best to help the team win.”
Nezar exited in the first period of a 7-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators after being hit in the face by a deflected puck. He skated off the ice feeling more frustrated than the obvious pain and didn’t come back.
The 2022 first-round pick (No. 13) signed a seven-year, $46.13 million contract extension with the Hawks last season, cementing him as a cornerstone of the Hawks’ young core led by Connor Bedard.
Nizar participated in 33 games this season, scoring 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) and 66 shots on goal. He scored the first goal of the NHL season on October 7 in a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Hawks coach Jeff Blashill said Nazar will not play Monday against the Winnipeg Jets — Jonathan Toews’ return to the United Center — but will be monitored throughout the week. The positive update suggests that Nizar’s return may come sooner rather than later.
“As far as I know he won’t play tomorrow unless there’s a drastic change, but I don’t think he will,” Blashill said. “It will allow him at least one more full practice, and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Nizar’s return could also come at the right time, given the Hawks have lost four of their last five games. Their offensive struggles continued on Saturday in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
There has been a large number of matches in January thanks to the Winter Olympics break next month, which means less time to train. There is a noticeable difference in getting into rhythm just in games compared to practices.
“There’s probably good and bad about it,” Blashill said. “There’s a rhythm to being in games, and I think the players like that. We tried to take advantage of our skates before the game when we weren’t training.
“The good part is that tomorrow is a new day, so if things haven’t gone well lately, tomorrow is a new day. If things are going well, you better keep going because they come to you quickly.”
Teuvo Teräväinen (upper body) did not practice and will miss his third straight game against the Jets.