Blackhawks "see a more confident Nick Lardis" in preseason

There was a lot of excitement surrounding Nick Lardis going into the 2026-27 season. He is one of the purest goal-scorers on the Chicago Blackhawks roster, so his potential is intriguing.

Lardis has played only one preseason game so far this training camp against the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 21. He looked good in the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime win. He was a plus-2 in 15:58 minutes of ice time, with two points (goal and assist) playing on the second line with Anton Frondell and Tyler Bertuzzi.

His game seems to have taken a positive step over the summer, with his skating and confidence in tow.

How Lardis has shown his speed in the preseason

Heading into last offseason, Lardis discussed wanting to work on his "overall strength." After all, he got reps on the top six, bottom six, and special teams.

It showed against the Wild.

He had a goal coming out of the penalty box in the first period. He stripped the puck away from defenseman Daemon Hunt, skated it into the Blackhawks' offensive zone, drew a penalty in the process, and scored anyway to tie the game 1-1.

He was flying on that play.

When speaking with Lardis at practice on Sept. 23, I asked what he views as his strength coming into the season after the summer. "I've said it before, but I want to show my speed more and more. I feel like last year, I didn't show it as much. So I think that's a strength of my game is showing my speed, showing my skating, and being a threat on the rush and on the forecheck, too. So yeah, I thought I did a pretty good job with that last game, and just kind of want to be more consistent at that throughout the year."

Head coach Jeff Blashill mentioned that skating with the puck was something they discussed during exit interviews, so look for that to be a significant part of Lardis' game this season.

Lardis looking stronger and more confident

It's not just the goal scoring that had the Blackhawks impressed with Lardis after the Blackhawks' win.

Blashill said about Lardis postgame, "I definitely see a more confident Nick Lardis today than probably at any point last season. Just in a sense of he's skating better, for sure. He's skating with the puck. He's skating without the puck. He has good speed, and he can move and create some separation. He's doing that, and he just seems a little bit stronger, and again, a little bit more confident, and so then he's put himself in positions to score. And definitely looks the most confident I've seen him since he's been with us, which is a natural kind of maturation process."

That maturation process also includes the physical side, with the muscle he added. My colleague Gail Kauchak noted in her conversation with him that he's now around 185 pounds, which will only benefit him going forward.

And as far as the confidence aspect, I asked Lardis what confidence looks like for him: "I think just playing with my strengths. Like playing with a lot of speed down the ice, you know, getting open for pucks, calling for it, talking on the ice, not being afraid to make plays in all three zones of the ice. So I think, obviously, it's preseason. There's a little rust, I guess, but I thought I did a pretty good job with that last game."

There's still a whole regular season to go for Lardis, but the fact that his improved strength and confidence are showing early for him during the preseason, the 21 year old looks to be on a good path.

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