RW Nick Lardis - Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL (2023, 67th, CHI)

[Blackhawkswincup]

Absolute gem of a pick for Hawks

Still shocked he fell so far (I had him as potential late 1st/easy 2nd)

 

[Castle8130]

Absolute gem of a pick for Hawks

Still shocked he fell so far (I had him as potential late 1st/easy 2nd)

Had him 18th oa, absolute steal

 

[TLEH]

I know a lot of HF liked Lardis.

 

[Castle8130]

I know a lot of HF liked Lardis.

I doubt there was anyone as high as me on him. I was sweating the draft in hopes the Hawks might pick him

 

[Gliff]

The Ducks made 4 picks in the 2nd and 3rd before he was selected. God they suck at drafting Forwards outside of the top 10.

I wanted him on the Ducks badly.

 

[Mrb1p]

I doubt there was anyone as high as me on him. I was sweating the draft in hopes the Hawks might pick him

I had him 18th

 

[plebskeeto]

He looks like a really solid and exciting player. Anyone know why he fell so far in the draft? What does he need to improve on and how soon can we expect him to be in the NHL realistically?

 

[LeProspector]

Pacing well to be a solid 3rd line contributor. Doesn’t drive play enough to be anything more than that, though - and that‘s okay!

 

[Kevin Musto]

He looks like a really solid and exciting player. Anyone know why he fell so far in the draft? What does he need to improve on and how soon can we expect him to be in the NHL realistically?

He fell due to lack of size. Possibly skepticism over his sudden explosion in production after being traded.

Needs to improve on strength above all else.

Presumably he will play in the OHL again for the 24-25 season. For the 25-26 season he'll have a chance to make the Blackhawks roster, but may need to spend time with the IceHogs.

 

[ello]

25 goals in 29 games now, outpacing his post trade production from last year

 

[Mrfenn92]

Back tonight

 

[Mrfenn92]

Two goals in his return so far

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[TLEH]

38 SOG in 4 games. Two hat tricks. Guys on a mission this year.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Playing great right now

 

[flamebird]

Unbelievable he was left off Canada's selection camp roster

 

[frontsfan67]

Unbelievable he was left off Canada's selection camp roster

I thought they’d invite more people and him and Misa would be 2 of them. Didn’t think either would make it but atleast give them the damn invite. A guy like Misa will be there anyways next year and could use the valuable experience

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Since moment he has been drafted this guy has done nothing but produce and impress

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

 

[Nazzz]

Since moment he has been drafted this guy has done nothing but produce and impress

OMG

 

[WarriorofTime]

Yeah he’s got really production in the ohl. I’m eager to see how it carries to the AHL next year.

 

[Fantomas]

Yeah he’s got really production in the ohl. I’m eager to see how it carries to the AHL next year.

Lardis is a high volume shooter and right now leads the OHL in SOG with 235 in 41 games (40 more than the next guy). If he demonstrates some competent two-way awareness at the next level, and really commits to strength and fitness, he might really shock some people, and the Hawks need finishers. But it's hard to project smaller snipers like him.

 

[Castle8130]

I always loved him and Kantserov from the 2023 draft. Both aren't the biggest guys, but they are uber talented skaters. If the Hawks are already set on Bedard and Nazar, this makes me think he might not end up being a Blackhawk due to lackluster size in the roster construction. I'd doubt it even more if they draft Hagens

 

[MrCreamm]

I always loved him and Kantserov from the 2023 draft. Both aren't the biggest guys, but they are uber talented skaters. If the Hawks are already set on Bedard and Nazar, this makes me think he might not end up being a Blackhawk due to lackluster size in the roster construction. I'd doubt it even more if they draft Hagens

Agreed, we'll see, Hawks need to keep drafting forwards who are 6'0 or above imo but that shouldn't be an issue this draft with Misa, Martone, McQueen, Shaefer in the top 5 and then there's Hagens. I'm trying to think of any teams in the past 10-15 years that had two centres below 6 foot as their 1-2 punch though.

I feel like Hawks have the toughest draft decision to make, they need a forward who can play with Bedard like Martone or Misa, I doubt they would draft Hagens to play the wing, but then there's still Schaefer and even though they have Levshunov it's been a minute since such a dynamic dman has been available that has looked as surefire in their DY.