Blackhawks' Hidden Gem: Nick Lardis Shatters Records with 50 Goals in OHL Season
Photo credit: BlackhawkUp
The Chicago Blackhawks have an idea of what they got when they draft Nick Lardis, this season he's hit the 50-goal mark in the OHL.
The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Nick Lardis 67th overall in the 3rd round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Not only did that draft yield Connor Bedard, but they have found another diamond in the rough in Lardis.
This season he's played with the Brantford Bulldogs, and in 49 games has scored a whopping 85 points (51 G, 34 A).
Could Lardis turn professional next season, and find himself wearing an IceHogs uniform?
That'd be very desirable for the Blackhawks organization, as fresh blood would keep the rebuild moving at a fast pace.
However, the team hasn't decided to bring him over this season, due to AHL age eligibility rules.
This was a problem the team had to face last season when Kevin Korchinski made the jump.
Instead Lardis Continues His Tear in the OHL
Lardis has scored 51 goals this season and is the first Bulldog ever to score that amount of goals in one season.
It sounds like GM Kyle Davidson continues to draft well for the Blackhawks.
He'd post his 50th goal during the team's 49th game of the OHL season. With another month left in the season, he could end up breaking the OHL's single-season record for goals.
Lardis' skill and scoring touch has put him at number 8 on Scott Wheeler's updated prospect ranking list.
His scoring touch would make him the perfect linemate for Bedard's playmaking abilities.
The forwards athletic abilities give him a way to defeat OHL netminders regularly. Despite this, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler places him as a second or third-liner in the NHL, like Andrew Shaw or Dave Bolland. Secondary-scoring.
But the last time the Blackhawks had a leading scorer in the OHL, he ended up on the top line with Patrick Kane.
Will he have the same kind of capabilities in the NHL, that Alex DeBrincat did?
Lardis will have to work his way up into the big leagues and he remains humble about his chances with the Hawks.
''[I'm trying to] be more consistent getting to the net, being a little more physical around the net and making sure I'm in good position to be open for scoring chances,'' Lardis said
For now, he'll continue to mature his game in the OHL, and we'll be excited to see him find a spot in the Blackhawks lineup when the time is right.
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