There have been some question marks surrounding the future of Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis. In 2024-25, he had an incredible season as he had 71 goals in 65 games played for the Brantford Bulldogs. No matter what league it is, that’s impressive.
Lardis is signed with the Blackhawks, but the question coming into the offseason was whether or not he’d be turning pro. After a goal-scoring season like that at 19 years old, he put himself in a position to do so.
On Thursday, the last day that media can attend the 2025 Development Camp, Assistant General Manager of Player Development Mark Eaton confirmed that Lardis would turn pro.
He couldn’t confirm if the plan was for him to play for the Rockford IceHogs or the Chicago Blackhawks, but it is unlikely that he returns to Brantford.
Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) on XMark Eaton confirms that Nick Lardis plans to play pro hockey in 2025-26.
Whether it’s the Rockford IceHogs or Chicago Blackhawks is up to him.
"He's slotted to be a pro next year. Eaton said when asked about Lardis' status at this time. "Which pro team [he ends up with] will be up to him in September".
As it stands, a big training camp/preseason could earn Lardis a spot on the opening night roster for the Chicago Blackhawks. There is also a scenario where the AHL is the best place for him at the start of the season.
"Hopefully, this will be my first year pro." Nick Lardis said on the topic. "That's going to be my goal going into the summer. Stay motivated, try to make the team. Whatever happens, happens. Keep getting better."
He isn't going to come out and say he's turning pro for sure, but he has a pretty good idea of where he stands after the season he just had in the OHL.
One minor setback for him was his knee injury that he suffered in the playoffs early in the spring. He now, while admitting you never know for sure until game action, says that he feels 100 percent healthy. He lost some weight in the rehab process, but is working on getting that strength back over the off-season.
Connor Bedard was seen as a goal-scorer entering his draft. However, we have since learned that he's an elite playmaker as well. Having a guy like Lardis potentially on his wing may allow his work to turn into results.
There are also a handful of other players in the organization who will have no problem making successful feeds to a sniper like Lardis.
Having this confirmation will give Lardis the confidence that he needs to play at a high level right when camp starts in the fall. The tools are there for him to be a successful player right off the bat.
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