The Blackhawks' Friday night loss in St. Louis delivered more than just a tough final score-it delivered a gut punch to Chicago's future.
With less than a second left in regulation, Connor Bedard took a hard jam from Brayden Schenn off a faceoff and headed straight to the locker room in visible pain. The team quickly ruled him out for Saturday’s game against Detroit and said more info would come Monday.
But the early signs aren’t encouraging. When a player like Bedard leaves the ice like that, with that kind of urgency, you start thinking long-term implications.
And let’s be honest-there’s no replacing Bedard. He’s the centerpiece of Chicago’s rebuild, the kind of player you build around for a decade.
But when your star goes down, the next man up matters. The Blackhawks didn’t hesitate.
On Saturday morning, they called up 20-year-old forward Nick Lardis, one of the organization’s most exciting young prospects, and gave him the nod to make his NHL debut.
Lardis might not be a household name yet, but he’s been making plenty of noise in Rockford. The kid’s been on a tear-13 goals already this season, putting him fourth in the AHL and second among all rookies.
He leads all AHL rookies in points with 26. That’s not just impressive-that’s the kind of production that demands attention.
But what makes Lardis’ call-up even more intriguing is the foundation he’s already laid. Last season in the OHL, he posted a staggering 71 goals and 117 points in just 65 games.
That kind of output doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the kind of season that can shift a player’s trajectory-and clearly, the Blackhawks took notice.
A third-round pick who’s already proving he can hang at the pro level? That’s the kind of development curve every NHL team dreams of.
Now, with Bedard sidelined, Lardis gets his shot. And while nobody’s expecting him to step in and be Connor Bedard, what he can do is inject some life into a lineup that badly needs it. Chicago’s offense has struggled, and Lardis brings a scoring touch and a confidence that could make this team a lot more watchable in the short term.
As for how long he sticks around-that’s largely up to him. If Lardis can bring the same offensive instincts and finish he’s shown in the AHL, it’ll be tough for the Blackhawks to send him back down, even when Bedard returns. There’s some roster flexibility here: Dominic Toninato could be reassigned, and Sam Lafferty could be rotated out as a healthy scratch if Lardis proves he belongs.
But if the NHL speed proves a bit too much right now? That’s okay, too.
The Blackhawks are still in a long-term build, and Lardis is a big part of that puzzle. Whether this stint is a short cameo or the start of something bigger, it’s a valuable opportunity for both the player and the team.
One thing’s for sure-Nick Lardis is here, and he’s got a chance to show the hockey world what he’s made of. Chicago fans should be watching closely.