There seems to be no stopping Nick Lardis. In his first full professional season in 2025-26, he mustered 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points over 35 games for the Rockford Icehogs, because of that, the Blackhawks simply could not deny bringing him up to the NHL. It has now been 35 games for Lardis at the NHL level, and while he has understandably slowed down his production against the best competition in the world on one of the worst teams in the NHL, he has a respectable nine goals and five points while averaging a little over 12 minutes of ice time. These are fantastic numbers for a third round draft pick who turns 21 in July. If, and he most likely will continue this rate of development – Lardis will be a lock for top six minutes and first power play time for the Blackhawks within two years. The only potential blocker for him to achieve those roles in 2026-27 is the fact that Chicago has so much young talent on the NHL roster, though it is quite likely Lardis will outwork most of his competition.

Lardis was a goal-scoring machine for Brantford in the OHL during the 2024-25 season, bouncing back strong after an injury-limited campaign the year prior. He has recorded 71 goals and 46 assists for 117 points in 65 games played. His shot is straight-up lethal, and he is one of the best pure finishers in Chicago’s system. The question now is whether he can round out his game enough to be more than just a sniper at the next level.

Lardis was selected 67th overall by the Blackhawks.

Nick Lardis has set the OHL on fire since his trade to the Hamilton Bulldogs, scoring 30 goals in 39 regular season and playoff games. This was no flash in the pan either, Lardis is a capable goalscorer with a set of diverse and well-above-average releases. He pairs this with multiple plus-level tools. His passing (when he scans for teammates), skating, and handling are all clear strengths as well. That said, Lardis is a diminutive winger who regularly gets physically overpowered and is quite passive on the defensive side of the puck. There are clear hurdles he will need to overcome to reach the NHL. If he can elevate his skating from very good to great, that transition will be facilitated, as would a heightened defensive engagement and a focus on building lower body strength and leverage mechanics for physical battles. In the middle rounds of the NHL draft, few players typically remain available who possess tangible top-six upside, but if Lardis is available in, say, the fourth round, he will be one of those few. While the risk in selecting him will likely make him fall out of the top-64, he is more than worth the risk beyond that point.