Blackhawks’ Frank Nazar suspended 2 games for illegally checking Bo Horvat

The Chicago Blackhawks are expecting big things from forward Frank Nazar. The young forward signed a big contract extension before the 2025-26 campaign. This year, they want him to take a step forward and truly become part of the core.

Unfortunately, the Blackhawks will be without the young forward for a couple of games. The NHL has suspended Nazar for two games. This comes on the heels of a dangerous hit to the head he delivered on New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat.

Chicago’s Frank Nazar has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat. https://t.co/2NbknT4yX8

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 10, 2026

Nazar received a match penalty for the hit on Horvat. In the end, the Islanders won the game. They claimed a big 4-1 victory, though they were unable to celebrate considering the circumstances.

The hit in question sparked a major brawl, as well. Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi and Islanders defenseman Logan Stanley each received 10-minute game misconducts for their participation in the festivities.

Horvat is one of the more important parts of the Islanders roster. He was named captain of the team before the 2026-27 campaign. This season, he has four goals and five points through four games so far.

Nazar, meanwhile, has had a bit of a strong start to the season himself. He leads the Blackhawks with two goals this year. Only Anton Frondell has more points than him on Chicago’s roster. It’s a promising start after a bit of a down season in 2025-26.

The Blackhawks will need to figure things out without Nazar for the next couple of games. He will miss Saturday’s contest against the Carolina Hurricanes and Tuesday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.