Blackhawks prospect updates: Nick Lardis’ prolific scoring unfazed by OHL-to-AHL jump

Blackhawks forward Nick Lardis has definitively answered one question. Yes, his junior production does translate into pro hockey.

That leaves just one more question: Can it translate into the NHL?

It will be fascinating to find out. But for now, fans must be patient. Considering Lardis’ below-average size (5-11 and 185 pounds), it makes sense to let him experience at least most of a full season in the AHL.

“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. Because a guy like him, I’m not going to teach him the offensive side — he’s talented in that area. It’s good that he’s right where he should be.”

Coming off an eye-opening 71-goal OHL season, Lardis has immediately emerged as Rockford’s top offensive threat. Entering Wednesday, he had tallied 18 points — nine goals and nine assists — in 17 games, putting him three points off the AHL scoring lead second among league rookies.

He missed two games last week, then immediately poured in four games in his first two games back over the weekend. His efforts last year to score in pro-style ways against junior-tier goalies — prioritizing getting to the net and slot — are paying off.

“Obviously you’re not going to score as much at the pro level usually than juniors, so [I’m] just making sure that when I get those chances, I’m capitalizing,” Lardis said.

“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.”

Facing bigger, older opponents has posed the bigger challenge and adjustment. Nightingale said Lardis has improved in that regard but still has a ways to go, which is why more AHL time seems prudent.

“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. “He’s done a great job not shying away. … We don’t expect guys to be all muscle and bully everybody all over the ice. But he’s taken great strides in being able to play through contact.”

Said Lardis: “It doesn’t mean you have to run a guy over every single shift, but [it’s about] just showing I’m not afraid out there.”

These prolific AHL numbers are an encouraging sign. There was no guarantee Lardis would do this. The jump that he just made rather effortlessly often separates gems from busts in the prospect pipeline.

Martin Misiak, for example, was drafted 12 picks before Lardis in the 2023 draft and put up solid (albeit not Lardis-level) stats in the OHL last season: 59 points in 60 games. But Misiak started this season as a healthy scratch for Rockford, has recorded just one point in 12 games and now finds himself on a different trajectory.

“You can’t overlook that it is rare to have players who jump and still have that impact,” Nightingale said.

“My favorite trait about Nick is he’s really humble, he doesn’t like attention, but he’s not going to rest on his laurels. He wants to continue to get better and better. He’s a bright example for the Blackhawks.”

Del Mastro’s situation

Hawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro disagrees with the assessment that he struggled during the NHL preseason, even though he didn’t end up making the Hawks’ roster after opening training camp alongside Sam Rinzel.

“That’s a view of other people,” Del Mastro said. “I thought it was an OK camp. … I’m still young and haven’t played a million NHL games, but [I’m] continuing to try to learn from a new coaching staff and new systems. Coming into camp, [I had] a very open mindset and wanted to do well. But I don’t think coming down here [to Rockford] is the worst thing ever.

“Obviously, you want to play with the NHL club. Everyone wants to, so that’s why…there’s a lot of people competing and fighting for those spots. You’ve got to come in with the right attitude, right mindset and take those jobs. They’re not going to be handed out.”

Nightingale said Del Mastro has been the IceHogs’ best defenseman on many nights. This is his third season there, so he’s very familiar with it. He has seven points in 19 games.

Del Mastro said Hawks coach Jeff Blashill told him to use his 6-4, 205-pound frame like an “eraser.” He has also worked on moving the puck efficiently and safely to start breakouts from the defensive zone.

“[I need to] see that play and make it as soon as I see it,” Del Mastro said. “Another thing is just moving the feet. When you see those plays, continue to move your feet after you pass it — don’t just glide up the ice. Continue to give three hard strides right after you make plays.”

He and Kevin Korchinski have both been unlucky in a sense that the Hawks haven’t had any defensive injuries so far, since they’ll be first in line for NHL call-ups when needed.

But looking bigger-picture, the fact Louis Crevier has cemented himself as a reliable NHL defenseman above Del Mastro in the pecking order spells trouble. It’s harder right now to identify a long-term role in the lineup for the latter, even though things could change.

Goalie duo

Drew Commesso’s path to an NHL spot is equally hard to identify, but he continues to play well in the AHL. He touts a .919 save percentage in 12 games, continuing his momentum from the second half of last season.

Joining Commesso in the Rockford crease is just-signed Russian prospect Stanislav Berezhnoy, nicknamed “Bear” because of his 6-4, 218-pound frame.

Berezhnoy isn’t the sharpest goalie technically, but he has shown some flashes (.899 save percentage in six games) and is already loved in the IceHogs’ locker room.

“[Bear is] a goofball,” Commesso said. “He doesn’t speak a lot of English, but I feed off of his emotions more.

“I’ve started teaching him some words. It’s pretty impressive how quickly he can pick [things] up. It’s pretty fun watching our goalie coach, Matt Smith, try to tell him stuff. It’s very impressive how he’s been able to handle that, and I’ve learned a little bit through that. Sometimes we’ll talk to each other and neither of us know what we’re saying, but we just both start laughing.”

More from Rockford

Forward prospect Aidan Thompson has stepped into a top-six role since Oliver Moore’s NHL call-up. Thompson has 10 points in 19 games in his first AHL season, although there’s more urgency to his timeline since he’ll turn 24 in February.

“We’re trying to work on him being on the right side of pucks, having a better stick,” Nightingale said. “He’s had some really good stretches and also a lot of teaching moments. But [over] the last week or two, I’ve been really pleased with Aidan.”

Fellow forward prospect Samuel Savoie continues to do what he does: forecheck tenaciously and aggravate opponents.

Savoie’s unique style makes him NHL-relevant, even though his production (five points) is unremarkable. But what will it take for him to actually reach the NHL?

“He’s got to be great at that,” Nightingale said. “It can’t be inconsistent. It’s got to be every night you’re finishing your checks, you’re creating turnovers, being an agitator and simplifying his game. He [needs to] get pucks to the net, be less cute and add a little more sandpaper.”