Frank Nazar spent Saturday morning around the Chicago Blackhawks anyway, skating at practice in the same black jersey as captain Connor Bedard even though he won’t be available for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was the first time Nazar had spoken since the NHL handed him a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head on New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat late in Thursday’s 4-1 loss, and he didn’t hide that the ruling hit hard. The 22-year-old said he’s still working through the league’s decision, which he clearly viewed as severe. Nazar has no prior suspensions and has never been fined in his young career.
Nazar was careful with his words in the brief media session, sounding frustrated with the punishment and disappointed in himself for missing the next two games with his teammates. He also walked reporters through what he saw on the play.
“They blocked a shot, and I just saw the Islanders player going to make an attempt for the empty net, and I’m on the other side of him, so the best thing I can do is try to apply pressure so he doesn’t score. I kept my shoulders, kept my elbow in, didn’t lunge or reach or anything. Just skated right through.”
After the hit, Nazar said he texted Horvat to check on him. Horvat replied that he was feeling good, and there didn’t appear to be any bad blood between the two players. Horvat’s teammates may feel differently, though, with a rematch against the Blackhawks coming in late February.
Horvat avoided a serious injury and will be in the lineup Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For Chicago, the suspension adds another tough early-season setback. The Blackhawks were already trying to get by without Bedard, and now they’ll also be without Nazar for two more games. At 1-4-0, they’re facing an even steeper climb.
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