I highly recommend the full article for those that can afford it, but to briefly summarize some of the main points:
– Nazar had a very strong bounce back season after missing almost all of the 2023 season. The author even attests that he had exceeded the level he was at in 2022 when they (Elite Prospects) had him ranked as the 5th best player in the draft.
– He remains [an elite rush player](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dpw4a5c8-WY) and *loves* to attack the middle of the ice. This was a fun fact they noted: ***”In a sample of the NCAA’s top teams, Nazar had a sizeable lead in zone entries up the middle, completing over eight per 60. The next closest skaters were Macklin Celebrini (7.4) and Gabe Perreault (7), followed by a large drop.”***
– While the rush remains a massive strength, he wasn’t nearly as reliant on the rush to create offense this past season as he has been in the past. In the same sample of top NCAA teams mentioned in the last bullet, they claim Nazar is the leader in cycle offense creation (which as far as I can tell, refers to scoring chances, scoring chance assists, or just generally expected primary points).
– Basically the article highlights how well he does all the little things that help lead to NHL success. He didn’t consistently put up points throughout last year, but the details in his game are phenomenal and, in my opinion, we should all be excited to see how he grows over the next few seasons!
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Their final thoughts were as follows:
>*Nazar’s puck-rushing game should translate in its current form, as should his creativity, vision, and shooting skill.*
>*To translate the improved cycle creation to the NHL, Nazar will have to become stronger and develop better reversal skills. That means not just getting inside positioning, but stepping back into opponents to knock them off balance and intercepting their pin attempts with a shoulder. It also might take some time for his game to adjust to the NHL because he’s so focused on exploiting the tiniest openings.*
>*If Nazar does that, he could become a complete top-six, play-driving forward, capable of fitting into many different structures, roles, and combinations of linemates.*
dangshnizzle
The article emphasizes how Nazar’s creation skills and ideas are evolving and how that may be even more translatable to pro, and also how he’s improving with contact, something vital for a small guy.
While Frankie may not ever truly become a first line guy on his own, I think his playstyle naturally fits what would compliment Bedard. My current dream first line is Nazar – Bedard – Martone
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#Paywall warning
I highly recommend the full article for those that can afford it, but to briefly summarize some of the main points:
– Nazar had a very strong bounce back season after missing almost all of the 2023 season. The author even attests that he had exceeded the level he was at in 2022 when they (Elite Prospects) had him ranked as the 5th best player in the draft.
– He remains [an elite rush player](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dpw4a5c8-WY) and *loves* to attack the middle of the ice. This was a fun fact they noted: ***”In a sample of the NCAA’s top teams, Nazar had a sizeable lead in zone entries up the middle, completing over eight per 60. The next closest skaters were Macklin Celebrini (7.4) and Gabe Perreault (7), followed by a large drop.”***
– While the rush remains a massive strength, he wasn’t nearly as reliant on the rush to create offense this past season as he has been in the past. In the same sample of top NCAA teams mentioned in the last bullet, they claim Nazar is the leader in cycle offense creation (which as far as I can tell, refers to scoring chances, scoring chance assists, or just generally expected primary points).
– His [physical game](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PuBXW_RxvgQ) and [ability to play/create through contact](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba1IVQMJiXA) has gotten better and better.
– Basically the article highlights how well he does all the little things that help lead to NHL success. He didn’t consistently put up points throughout last year, but the details in his game are phenomenal and, in my opinion, we should all be excited to see how he grows over the next few seasons!
—-
Their final thoughts were as follows:
>*Nazar’s puck-rushing game should translate in its current form, as should his creativity, vision, and shooting skill.*
>*To translate the improved cycle creation to the NHL, Nazar will have to become stronger and develop better reversal skills. That means not just getting inside positioning, but stepping back into opponents to knock them off balance and intercepting their pin attempts with a shoulder. It also might take some time for his game to adjust to the NHL because he’s so focused on exploiting the tiniest openings.*
>*If Nazar does that, he could become a complete top-six, play-driving forward, capable of fitting into many different structures, roles, and combinations of linemates.*
The article emphasizes how Nazar’s creation skills and ideas are evolving and how that may be even more translatable to pro, and also how he’s improving with contact, something vital for a small guy.
While Frankie may not ever truly become a first line guy on his own, I think his playstyle naturally fits what would compliment Bedard. My current dream first line is Nazar – Bedard – Martone