Player Profile: Nick Lardis

Two years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks selected winger Nick Lardis with the 67th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a 17 year old from the Hamilton Bulldogs with only dreams of what he could develop into. Now, two years later, Lardis looks like the steal of the 2023 draft, with 60 OHL goals for the Brantford Bulldogs, and one of the best prospects in the game right now, at only 19 years old, Nick Lardis already looks like a future NHL All-Star.

From a young age Lardis looked like a decent point and goal scorer, playing Oakville Rangers AAA team at all different age levels, it looked from the age of 14 that Lardis could have something special. Heading into the 2021 season, Lardis received his first OHL offer to play with the Peterborough Petes, the team his NHL journey would start with.

Being a smaller, and less physically gifted player, Lardis was known for his silky hands and speed, and was often distributing goals and assists on a consistent basis from the age of 16, competing with some of the best in the game. Scoring 37 points with 18 goals in his inaugural season with the Petes, Lardis was already showing early signs of development, and was already amongst many tipped to be declared to the NHL draft in 2023. 

Lardis’s 2022/23 season would be the year's NHL journey would officially start, and where his draft ranking and attraction by NHL scouts began to grow. After a good start to the year with Peterborough, his season changed completely after he was traded to the Hamilton Bulldogs where he ended up upping his form, scoring 25 and 46 points in total, ending his draft eligible year with 65 points and 37 goals, ranking within the top 100 players in the draft. 

Coming into the draft, Lardis had attracted some 4th round attractions, and was tipped to go late in the 4th. He had an even balance of strengths and weaknesses, some being his size, but most importantly his ability to develop into an amazing hockey player, a quality Chicago really liked. The 2023 draft was a historical day for the Blackhawks, drafting Connor Bedard and Oliver Moore in the first round, but little did they know, they picked up a hidden gem with their third round pick in Hamilton Bulldogs winger Nick Lardis, a shock pick so early in the draft. 

After joining Chicago and one of the most exciting prospects pools in the NHL, Lardis decided to return to the newly relocated Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL to continue his development due to his young age. Lardis had an NHL development expectation of three to four years, but in his first year back in the OHL, he showed that the Blackhawks took a well deserved punt in the draft. Scoring 50 points in total, with 29 goals in a season cut short by injuries, Lardis was already showing signs of being a more than promising prospect. But his 2024/25 season really showed the NHL what they may have missed out on.

The Blackhawks are probably in some of the worst times of their life, but their prospect pool is keeping their hopes alive through the tough 2024/25 season, and Nick Lardis has played a more than massive part in keeping hopes up for Hawks fans. Lardis started the season quickly, highlighting his prominent ability to score, and become the poster boy of the Bulldogs. With amazing draft prospects besides him like Jake O’Brien, and fellow Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker also alongside him, Lardis has shined in his second year in Brantford. As of February 23rd, Lardis is the leading scorer in the OHL with 60 goals, and is second overall in total points only falling short to 2025 top three draft prospect Michael Misa. Lardis almost tops every stat possible in goal scoring, and is on track for 119 points, with an amazing 72 goals to top off this ecstatic season.

It's likely after his breakout year in Brantford that Lardis will join the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL next season, and will further his development in pro hockey alongside some of his other prospects. But Lardis is something special, and a player for Hawks fans to definitely look forward to. After drafting him at 17 years old, Lardis has put himself amongst some of the most promising prospects in hockey like Michael Misa and Liam Greentree, and is a bright spark the Blackhawks need in these tough times.

Remember the name Nick Lardis.