Folks, I think we’re getting to the time that we need to have a conversation about Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis.
Lardis was mentioned by Steven Ellis at Daily Faceoff as one of the five AHL prospects who are tearing it up to start the year on Tuesday. And with good reason: the start of his professional career has been as good — better? — than we could have hoped.
The IceHogs had a late-morning start on Tuesday and it went quite well against the Wolves in Rosemont. Lardis scored twice in the first period and added an assist to have three points before the first intermission. Here’s Lardis’ first goal of the morning:
The Moore, Seney & Lardis trio less than a minute into the game t.co/9K7KegS7FB pic.twitter.com/SzdJMgj1th
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) October 28, 2025Here’s Lardis’ second goal of the period and fourth already this season for the IceHogs:
You’re not seeing double, that’s just Nick Lardis scoring his 2nd goal in the 1st period t.co/Fgf3YZj6sR pic.twitter.com/MTiEbAG0np
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) October 28, 2025When the dust settled from the blowout win for the IceHogs, Lardis had four goals and eight assists for 12 points in eight games. That point total is tied for the top spot in the AHL.
The Blackhawks have talked about looking for consistency from prospects to see that they’re ready to be a contributor at the NHL level before they’re called up. In Lardis’ first eight games in the AHL, he has more multi-point games (three) than point-less games (two). He has points in six of eight contests and he’s plus-11.
As I looked at his stat line through eight games, what surprised me is his shot total. Lardis has only been credited with 21 shots on net thru eight games. Last year with Brantford in the OHL, Lardis put a whopping 375 shots on goal in 65 games (a 5.8 SOG/gm average).
That volume shooting turned into 71 goals — a historic run for Lardis that got everyone’s attention. It also brought doubters that his game would translate to the pro ranks. Ellis included as much in his comments about Lardis:
Many in the industry questioned whether he’d be able to carry that momentum into the pro ranks – was he going to become a power-play merchant, or were the numbers legit?
Only one of Lardis’ four goals thus far has come on the power play. And, go figure, he’s tied for second in the AHL in assists — not goals.
How soon will we see Lardis in the NHL?
The Blackhawks’ front office has consistently said they would find room for prospects on the NHL roster when they show they’re ready for prime time. They did it last year with Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert. At the rate he’s going, Lardis is going to get a call to order himself an Uber to the nearest Blackhawks practice/game in the near future.
Which leads to the next, perhaps most obvious, question: if/when Lardis gets called up, who sits?
However, the bigger question might be: how will the Blackhawks accommodate adding a forward (theoretically to their top-six)? To start the season, new head coach Jeff Blashill has predominantly been skating 11 forwards and 7 defensemen.
Right now, the Blackhawks are dealing with a couple veterans who have injuries making them day-to-day. Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev are game-time decisions for Tuesday night’s game against the Senators at the United Center. Bertuzzi took part in the morning skate; Mikheyev did not.
The Blackhawks will depart on a six-game, 11-day road trip after practicing at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday. If either of them, or anyone else, isn’t 100 percent leaving on the trip, having an extra body wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Especially if Sam Lafferty is permanently stapled to the press box. Bringing up Lardis or anyone else for the road trip would presumably be to play them, not have them watch games and pile up frequent flyer miles.
The great news is Lardis is forcing us to have this conversation before the end of October. And I’ll look forward to the answers to these pressing questions when they need to be dealt with because Lardis is ready for his NHL debut.
Hence then, the article about we already need to talk about nick lardis was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( We (Already) Need to Talk About Nick Lardis )
Also on site :
- PUBG Mobile 4.2 Update: New “Promotion Match” and “Season Series” Systems Explained
- Anthony Joshua latest: Police launch hunt for man linked to Nigeria car crash after boxer discharged from hospital
- Grayson Allen upgraded to questionable with knee injury ahead of Kings game in Phoenix