The last image of the Chicago Blackhawks' 2024-25 season is Frank Nazar celebrating an overtime game-winning goal with Connor Bedard and Sam Rinzel.
The interesting part of that celebration was that Nazar, at the age of 21, was the Hawks' oldest skater for that overtime rush.
Despite finishing with the second-worst record in the NHL, the future looks bright for the Hawks as future core pieces got valuable NHL ice time.
Although maybe the Blackhawks would have won more games had Nazar not missed playing in the first 29 games because he was in Rockford.
Even though the organization had a valid reason for having him start in the AHL, it should have been clear that Nazar did not need to skate in 21 games for the IceHogs.
Nazar did not clear the hurdle of proving he was worthy of skating among the top six during the preseason. However, he quickly proved that playing in Rockford should have been a short stay, especially given the team's inconsistent energy at the beginning of the season.
If there was one thing Nazar proved, he is willing to play 200 feet while playing hard every shift. The team could have used that in, say, late October.
By the time he was called on December 14, 2024, the Blackhawks season was already lost.
It begs to question if the Hawks would have won more games had Nazar played a full season.
The Blackhawks were 9-17-2 before Nazar's season debut. The Hawks went 16-28-9 with Nazar in the lineup. He would have likely had 40 points or more had he played a full 82-game slate
Since he finished with 26 points and the Hawks had a -70-goal differential, an added couple of goals for to knock down the difference of goals against from Nazar likely would not have added too many victories.
However, maybe having him skating earlier in the season with Connor Bedard would have stabilized a top line that was constantly being shuffled under former head coach Luke Richardson.
Although Anders Sorenson was shaking up the lines just as much as Richardson. Plus, the front office has made it clear, they will be patient with their prospects' development.
As much as it has been fun watching the future being now at the season's conclusion, do not be shocked that a lot of the baby Blackhawks who finished this season on the NHL roster start next season in Rockford.
While the expectations were supposed to be raised this season, the Hawks get the bonus of having a top-five pick just in time before the franchise becomes ineligible for one. While a few more victories would have been nice, having a chance to draft Michael Misa is better for the franchise's long-term outlook.
Giving Nazar ample time to develop his game in a pressure-free zone in Rockford has also gone a long way toward establishing him as a cornerstone player.
