Frank Nazar inks a massive seven-year extension with Chicago, betting big on the kid who's already flashed elite potential behind Connor Bedard. The 21-year-old rookie piled up 26 points in 53 games last season, earning top-six minutes and a spot on the second line with vets like Bertuzzi and Teravainen. Blackhawks brass sees him as the two-way spark that lightens Bedard's load, but whispers from the front office hint at the risks of locking him up after just 56 NHL games.

The Blackhawks hit the ice post-Olympic break with practices buzzing, as Nick Foligno raves about the vets' eagerness to grind through systems and build chemistry ahead of 16 games in a packed month. Coach Jeff Blashill pushes puck touches and conditioning, while the squad experiments with double slingshot entries on the power play - Frank Nazar dropping to Connor Bedard for that extra edge.

Chicago's front office sweats the long view on salary cap flexibility, especially with Connor Bedard's extension looming after his entry-level deal expires next season. Kyle Davidson juggles a young core on cheap contracts like those of Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov while eyeing UFAs such as Connor Murphy and Ilya Mikheyev. A rising cap to $113 million by 2027-28 offers breathing room, but smart bridges and long-term bets will decide if the Hawks contend or just spend.