Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis's impressive scoring in the OHL has now translated to the AHL, where he continues to impress as Rockford's top offensive threat. The 21-year-old, who finished last season with 71 goals, already has nine points in his first 17 games this season, putting him three points off the league's scoring lead.
Lardis's ability to capitalize on chances and make confident decisions on the ice is a major factor in his success. "Every single night, [I'm] making sure I'm confident in my abilities and understanding what I need to do to help the team win and be successful," he said.
However, Lardis's size - 5-11 and 185 pounds - means he'll likely face more of a challenge when promoted to the NHL. "We want, when he does get his opportunity, for him to help the Blackhawks," IceHogs coach Jared Nightingale said. "I know their staff values play away from the puck, the compete level, and the little defending habits of the game."
Nightingale believes Lardis has made significant strides in playing through contact, but more AHL time is needed before he's ready for the NHL. "It's going to take years for him to put weight on, but his competitiveness is only going to get better when he gets stronger," Nightingale said.
Meanwhile, fellow prospect Ethan Del Mastro has had a more mixed start to his season in Rockford. Despite missing out on the NHL roster, Nightingale praised Del Mastro's performance, saying "he's been our best defenseman on many nights." However, it remains unclear what role he'll have in the Blackhawks' lineup.
The IceHogs also boast an exciting goalie duo, with Drew Commesso continuing to impress and Stanislav Berezhnoy - nicknamed "Bear" due to his size - showing flashes of brilliance despite a lack of technical polish. Commesso praised his new teammate, saying "[Bear] is a goofball... he's got a great attitude."
Other prospects, such as Aidan Thompson and Samuel Savoie, are also making progress in Rockford. Nightingale said "we're trying to work on [Thompson] being on the right side of pucks" and praised his recent improvement. Meanwhile, Savoie continues to do what he does best: forecheck tenaciously.
As for what it will take for Savoie to reach the NHL, Nightingale was blunt: "He's got to be great at that [forechecking] every night." The young forward needs to become more consistent and add a little more "sandpaper" to his game if he hopes to make an impact in the big leagues.
Lardis's ability to capitalize on chances and make confident decisions on the ice is a major factor in his success. "Every single night, [I'm] making sure I'm confident in my abilities and understanding what I need to do to help the team win and be successful," he said.
However, Lardis's size - 5-11 and 185 pounds - means he'll likely face more of a challenge when promoted to the NHL. "We want, when he does get his opportunity, for him to help the Blackhawks," IceHogs coach Jared Nightingale said. "I know their staff values play away from the puck, the compete level, and the little defending habits of the game."
Nightingale believes Lardis has made significant strides in playing through contact, but more AHL time is needed before he's ready for the NHL. "It's going to take years for him to put weight on, but his competitiveness is only going to get better when he gets stronger," Nightingale said.
Meanwhile, fellow prospect Ethan Del Mastro has had a more mixed start to his season in Rockford. Despite missing out on the NHL roster, Nightingale praised Del Mastro's performance, saying "he's been our best defenseman on many nights." However, it remains unclear what role he'll have in the Blackhawks' lineup.
The IceHogs also boast an exciting goalie duo, with Drew Commesso continuing to impress and Stanislav Berezhnoy - nicknamed "Bear" due to his size - showing flashes of brilliance despite a lack of technical polish. Commesso praised his new teammate, saying "[Bear] is a goofball... he's got a great attitude."
Other prospects, such as Aidan Thompson and Samuel Savoie, are also making progress in Rockford. Nightingale said "we're trying to work on [Thompson] being on the right side of pucks" and praised his recent improvement. Meanwhile, Savoie continues to do what he does best: forecheck tenaciously.
As for what it will take for Savoie to reach the NHL, Nightingale was blunt: "He's got to be great at that [forechecking] every night." The young forward needs to become more consistent and add a little more "sandpaper" to his game if he hopes to make an impact in the big leagues.
️
like 9 points in 17 games? that's insane! and you know what's even crazier? coach nightingale thinks he needs more AHL time before he's ready for the NHL? like, what does he want him to do, grow a few inches overnight?! 
but seriously though, i think lardis has the potential to be a superstar in this league. his confidence on the ice is infectious and it's amazing to see him dominate games. and idk about the size thing tho... like, shouldn't that be an advantage or something? 
anyway, i'm so hyped for lardis and i think he needs to get in the NHL ASAP!
it feels like only yesterday I was watching Ryan Nugent-Hopkins crush it in the OHL 
. Anyway, Lardis is looking fire with those 71 goals last season and now he's already scoring a ton in the AHL. The thing that'll hold him back is his size tho, gotta feel bad for the guy 
. Del Mastro's defense skills are on point and Commesso and "Bear" are bringing the excitement with that goalie duo 
. Savoie, man... he's just like a little hockey bullet 
, always forechecking like crazy.
. I mean, 71 goals last season is insane! But you gotta wonder about the size thing, it's gonna be tough for him to make an impact in the NHL at just 5'11" and 185 lbs 
. Still, he seems like a confident kid who knows what he needs to do to help his team win.
. And it's great to see the goalie duo in Rockford killing it - Drew Commesso and Stanislav Berezhnoy (aka "Bear") are like two peas in a pod 
.
. And Samuel Savoie just needs to be more consistent with that forechecking of his 
. Maybe with some more "sandpaper" added to his game, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL 
️.
Nightingale's right btw, more AHL time is key 4 him 2 develop 
. I mean, it's not like they're going to be the next Kane or anything (just saying) 
. But seriously, it's cool that Lardis is putting up points and showing promise in the AHL. Maybe with some more time, he'll fill out his frame and become a more well-rounded player. That size can definitely work against you on the ice 
. The IceHogs' prospects are kinda like that one friend who's always hyping up their own skills, but you appreciate their enthusiasm 
.
the coaches r gonna have to bring him up to nhl soon tho i mean idk how much longer rockford can hold onto that scoring lead lol and i feel for ethan del mastro, i knew he was good but not as good as lardis rn. stanislav berezhnoy aka "bear" is so underrated tho, he's got skills 
I mean, 71 goals last season was nice but it's not like he's breaking any records or anything. And what's with everyone talking about how he needs to put on weight? Newsflash: size isn't everything! He's quick and agile, that's his advantage 
. And yeah, maybe some of those prospects need more time in the AHL, but I think Del Mastro is gonna surprise us all soon 
. Just because he's got a goofy teammate doesn't mean he's automatically good 
️.
. The IceHogs have some amazing talent coming up through the ranks and it's gonna be so cool to watch them grow.
! Stanislav Berezhnoy (aka "Bear") might not have all the technical skills yet, but his attitude is on point 
! What do you guys think? Who's your favorite prospect so far? 
how much can a guy who's 5'11" and only 185 pounds really do on the ice? idk if he'll be able to keep up when he gets promoted to the NHL. it's good that his coach Jared Nightingale thinks he needs more time in the AHL though 
Lardis is lighting it up with 71 goals last season, now he's getting to show off his skills in the higher level. His confidence on the ice is key, and Nightingale's right that more AHL time will help him grow stronger 
gotta be great at forechecking every night! If he can get that consistency down, I think he'll be a force to be reckoned with 
He's literally on fire 
! I know it's gonna be tough for a 5'11" guy to make it big in the NHL, but he's got that confidence thing down pat 
. And can we talk about Ethan Del Mastro? 
. I'm low-key shipping him with Savoie now, btw 
. What do you guys think?! 
.
, and "Bear" Berezhnoy might just surprise us with his skills 
. But seriously, Savoie needs to step up his forechecking game if he wants to make it to the NHL