Nick Lardis isn’t done in Chicago-not by a long shot. The young winger may have been reassigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, but make no mistake: he’s firmly in the Blackhawks’ plans. And with the NHL trade deadline looming, the door is wide open for his return.
This move isn’t about performance. Lardis has held his own in the NHL, notching five goals and two assists in 21 games.
Those numbers don’t leap off the page, but anyone watching closely saw a rookie who consistently put himself in the right spots-reading plays, creating chances, and showing the kind of hockey IQ that earns trust from coaches. He didn’t just survive; he belonged.
So why send him down? It’s a strategic reset.
The Blackhawks want Lardis logging top-line minutes, staying sharp during the Olympic break, and representing Rockford at the AHL All-Star festivities. It’s about development, not demotion.
And if his earlier AHL stint is any indication-13 goals and 13 assists in just 24 games-it won’t take long for him to get back in rhythm.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The Blackhawks are sitting on a handful of pending unrestricted free agents, and as the trade deadline approaches, GM Kyle Davidson will be weighing his options.
Veterans like Nick Foligno, Ilya Mikheyev, Jason Dickinson, and Sam Lafferty are all names that could come up in trade talks. None of them are core pieces of the rebuild, and all could bring back assets that better align with Chicago’s long-term vision.
If even one of those forwards is moved, that’s a roster spot Lardis could slide into. He’s waiver-exempt, making him an easy call-up.
And based on what we’ve seen, he’s already one of the 12 best forwards in the organization. The only thing holding him back right now is the logjam of healthy, higher-paid veterans ahead of him.
But Lardis might not be the only young face returning to the NHL roster post-deadline. The Blackhawks have a deep pipeline, and players like Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert are knocking on the door.
Then there’s Oliver Moore-a name fans should get used to hearing. Moore has already played with Lardis at both the AHL and NHL levels this season, and it’s becoming clear he’s outgrown the minors.
His speed jumps off the screen, his skill is undeniable, and his versatility makes him a coach’s dream. Wing or center, special teams or even strength-Moore can do it all.
And he’s just getting started.
The Blackhawks are in the thick of a rebuild, and Davidson’s approach has been methodical. He’s not rushing the process, but he’s also not afraid to make moves that accelerate the development of his young core. Trading a few veterans to open space for players like Lardis and Moore would be a logical next step.
As for those veterans, they still hold value. Foligno and Dickinson bring leadership and playoff experience-traits that contenders covet down the stretch.
Mikheyev is a premier penalty killer with enough offensive pop to contribute in a bottom-six role. And while Lafferty may project as a depth piece, he’s the kind of high-motor forward who can jump into a lineup and make an impact in limited minutes.
There’s no guarantee how many, if any, of those names will be moved. But it would be surprising if Davidson stands pat. The Blackhawks are playing the long game, and giving their prospects meaningful NHL minutes is part of that strategy.
Nick Lardis has already shown he’s capable. Now it’s just a matter of when-not if-he gets his next shot. And when that opportunity comes, don’t be surprised if he sticks for good.