The man in the OHL is Gavin Hayes, and the man in the NCAA is Frank Nazar.
Frank Nazar is 20 years old and is currently playing at Michigan, one of the best hockey teams in the NCAA. Nazar was drafted 13th overall in last year's draft and is currently unsigned by Chicago.
Frank, since having eight assists in seven games at the World Juniors for the Gold Medal winning Team USA, came back from Sweden and had 12 points in five games.
He also scored another goal tonight against Wisconsin and tallied another assist. Nazar, in total, has 13 goals and 19 assists, adding up to 32 points in 24 games. The fact he wasn't a Hobey Baker finalist is criminal. We could possibly see Frank Nazar being signed as soon as this off-season, and he could make a perfect second line center when the time is right.
On the other hand, Gavin Hayes has been just as impressive. Hayes is 19 years old and is playing on the Flint Firebirds of the OHL while wearing the «A.» Gavin was selected in the third round of last year's draft, and unlike Frank Nazar, has an Entry Level contract.
Hayes, another Team USA player, wasn't as impressive as Frank, putting up two assists in seven games. But since returning to OHL play, he has been a different player. Gavin has 13 points in the last six games.
Hayes this year with the Firebirds has 19 goals and 17 assists, tallying up to 36 points in 27 games. He, along with Nazar, could be debuting next year. Right now, he is Chicago's best bet to be the first line winger.
POLL | ||
Do you think the Blackhawks have the brightest future in the entire NHL? | ||
Yes | 119 | 42.3 % |
No, but close | 103 | 36.7 % |
No way | 59 | 21 % |
List of polls |