The Blackhawks officially added another prospect to the organization on Wednesday afternoon, signing 2023 third-round pick (67th overall) Nick Lardis to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The deal carries an annual salary cap hit of $896,667, and would end after the 2026-27 season if it started in this instant. However, that contract may be sliding back another year or two, as Lardis seems at least one more year away from turning pro, and it’s possible he’ll be have a stint in Rockford before he reaches Chicago.
Lardis is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound forward who’ll turn 19 years old in July and has spent his initial post-draft season playing with the OHL’s Brantfod Bulldogs, where he’s scored 50 points (29 G, 21 A) in 37 games. He’d been sidelined since Jan. 12 with an injury, as mentioned in our last prospect update, although he’s returned for the OHL postseason and has four points (2 G, 2 A) in three games. Brantford currently trails 2-1 in its seven-game series with the Ottawa 67’s in the opening round of the playoffs, with Game 4 slated for Thursday night.
Goal scoring is Lardis’ calling card, with his impressive shot the highlight of the scouting reports that were tabulated when the Blackhawks draft him last summer:
Lardis has done nothing to diminish his status within the organization over the last year, resulting in the signing of this contract. The next step forward for Lardis would be to absolutely dominate the OHL when he heads back there for the 2024-25 hockey season.