Nick Lardis Talks Scoring Record, Development, Mentality, More ...Middle East

Only 12 times in the history of the OHL (OMJHL) has a player scored 70 goals in the season. Among the names to reach that number: Wayne Gretzky, John Tavares, Doug Gilmour and Eric Lindros. With his league-leading 56th goal on Sunday afternoon, Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis in on pace to join that remarkable list.

I spoke with Lardis recently about his journey this season, one in which he has (knock on wood) remained healthy and been able to score seemingly every night. He closed the books on Sunday with a goal in his 15th consecutive game.

5️⃣6️⃣#BFD | #Blackhawks | #OHL t.co/u6a5ANAWAn pic.twitter.com/lRJrtqDRFZ

Lardis had a very good post-draft season (29 goals in 37 games) but he was slowed down by a wrist injury in the second half. He came to Blackhawks training camp in the fall and looked like a more physically mature player, something that should be expected one full season removed from his draft summer but that isn’t always the case. He told me he was a lot more comfortable being around NHL and AHL players this time around, and was able to learn more while trying to make a strong impression with the organization.

“I think getting drafted a year back, it was a surreal feeling and then going to my first training camp, obviously with some nerves and not knowing what to expect,” Lardis said. “I was seeing the NHL level — the best league in the world — so it was great. I learned I need to gain more physicality and strength to my game. I think I did a good job showing that in training camp and into the preseason, too.

It’s been a great experience and I think as the year goes on, I keep getting more motivated to get to that next level. It was great to get a couple preseason games every year to learn more about the league, too, and learning from the older guys and the veterans that have experienced many years at that level helps.”

One big difference for Lardis this year in Brantford has been the fact that he isn’t the only Blackhawks prospect on the roster. Chicago selected Marek Vanacker in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and they’re very high on his abilities as well.

Lardis told me the Blackhawks have development scouts at most of their games and they talk to the organization frequently about their performances on the ice. He breaks down game reports with the scouts and talks about areas on the ice where he’s attacking and the opportunities he’s generating in games to put goals on the board. But the Blackhawks have also emphasized their off-ice routines as well during their regular Zoom calls.

He told me the habits he’s learned from some of the veterans in training camp have helped influence his mindset as a complete athlete.

“Picking [the veterans’] brains, all the little details on and off the ice, even off days, too,” he said. “What they do and to see how long they’ve been there and maintain their success. I think a big thing was the little details off on the ice, even at practice and working out before or after practice, whatever it is, just making sure I’m getting 1 percent better every day.”

WHAT A MOVE BY LARDIS ?@NHLBlackhawks prospect Nick Lardis makes a nifty move to lose the defender before wiring a wicked shot past the goalie to put the @BulldogsOHL up by a pair early and earn the #BestOfOHL clip of the night!#OHLxMilkUP | @MilkUPOntario pic.twitter.com/H3ztBSlHUx

As of Sunday night, Brantford is tied with Oshawa for first in the OHL’s East Division. Lardis has already set the club’s all-time single-season goal record, and it could be very easy for a player with NHL dreams coming closer into view to enjoy the nightly spotlight that comes with being the league’s leading scorer on a team that’s playing at a high level. But Lardis told me it’s more about how the team plays than whether or not his personal success comes each night.

“I think the most important thing for myself is not really focusing too much on the goals and producing,” Lardis said. “I think more of my motivation is every single night to help the team as much as I can, whether that is scoring goals or producing or making sure that we shut down the game and get points [in the standings]. I think that’s the most important thing for myself and the team right now is making sure we’re playing good hockey for the playoffs, getting ready for the playoffs and maintaining our habits right now.

I think if I could do that and our team can do that, then the points and stuff will come for us. But yeah, obviously for myself, at the start of the year a big goal for myself was to just improve on last year and mature more. So making sure that I’m ready for that, showing good in junior hockey so I can be ready for the next level because it’s going to be a big jump.”

My takeaways from this conversation with Lardis are once again that he has a good self awareness of where his game is at and what he does well — he’s a shooter with little remorse and he’s finding the back of the net at a historic rate. But his focus has shifted from getting himself ready to make the jump to the pro ranks to being team-centered and playing well in the moment for a team that has big aspirations this season.

The future is bright for Lardis. And the Blackhawks could use a legit scorer in the lineup sooner than later. His time will come, and he’s developing the little habits along the way to put himself in position to make an impact when that phone call happens.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Nick Lardis Talks Scoring Record, Development, Mentality, More )

Also on site :

• Cleaning expert reveals 80p Sainsbury’s buy to get BBQ sparkling for summer – plus common error that poses hygiene risk
• Kylian Mbappe scores landmark goal as France finish third in Nations League
• 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials: Day 2 Prelims Live Recap