Blackhawks announce surprising roster cuts moments before preseason game against Blues

The Blackhawks sent defensemen DJ King and Austin Shrand, forwards Gavin Hayes, Paul Ludwinski, Jaylen Luypen, and Marcel Marcel, and goalie Ben Guadreau all down to the Rockford Icehogs of the AHL. On top of that, Nick Lardis has been sent down to the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL. There are now 41 players left.

Chicago sending down Nick Lardis and Gavin Hayes down is pretty upsetting. They're both highly touted prospects and have high ceilings and expectations.

Hayes was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft but has slowly worked his way up the scale. Hayes, 20 years old, plays the wing. Hayes had 19 goals and 17 assists, tallying up to 36 points in 29 games last year with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. Hayes looks to spend his 2024 campaign with the Rockford Icehogs.

Lardis, another third round pick, but in 2023, is like Hayes, another hungry prospect just trying to make a name for himself, and is doing so. Lardis is a year younger than Hayes at 19. Lardis had a great season last year with 29 goals and 21 assists, adding up to 50 points in 27 games with Brantford. He also played on the Canada U18 roster and had four goals in seven games. Lardis is expected to have a bright future with the Hawks.

Of course you hear about Ludwinski and Marcel, but the door is slowly closing on Ludwinski. Ludwinski finally had the season we all expected him to have with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL with 69 points in 60 games, but at 20 years old, it could be too little too late. As a second round pick, he has to really step it up with Rockford this next year and light it up.