Wrapping up the Final Rounds: Blackhawks take Nick Lardis 67th

NASHVILLE – The final rounds were swift but productive for the Chicago Blackhawks. As opposed to last season, Chicago went heavy up front, taking a defenseman only at the end of the draft. But did the Blackhawks ever replenish the prospect pool. Likely, first overall pick Connor Bedard  and Lukas Reichel will be up with the big club this season, pulling them out of the pool.

We’ve already looked at the first two rounds. Here’s rounds 3-7 with respective stats and comments from Chicago Blackhawks Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey.

(3rd round) 67th – Nick Lardis –  Forward
Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) – 33 Games; 25-21-46

Doneghey’s Take: “He was originally in Peterborough this year and he was traded to Hamilton. When he got there, he just flourished. He had 38 goals in the OHL which is hard to do. Most of those goals came with Hamilton. Played for Canada at the U-18s this past April in Switzerland. He can fly. He meets our speed element, but he also has that scoring attribute.”

(3rd round) 93rd – Jiri Felcman – Forward
Langnau U20 – 40 Games; 10-21-31

Doneghey’s Take: “6-4 center. Played for Czech in Switzerland at the U-18s. Really improved this year. Those guys, it’s 16, 17 being 6-4 that kind of gangly and Bambi-ish and for him, everything really came together for him this year. He projects as a bottom-six center but he gives us size and hockey IQ down the middle.”

(4th round) 99th – Alex Pharand – Forward
Sudbury Wolves (OHL) – 67 Games; 18-21-39

Doneghey’s Take: “I believe was traded twice in the same day. … Projects as a winger. Big winger. He fought in the CHL prospect game, fought Caleb Lind, so he’s got that fighting ability. Very competitive. Looks out for his teammates, but he’s a really good skater too.”

(5th round) 131st – Marcel Marcel – Forward
Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) – 52 Games; 14-18-32

Doneghey’s Take: “We saw Marcel a lot, A) because he played in Gatineau with Sam Savoie, so when development was there or our Quebec league scouts were there, I’d always get a text on Marcel. He’s a bigger kid. He’s 6-4, almost 6-5, 240 pounds. But he gets around the ice really well. He played in the World Juniors, he was very successful there as a winger, so he fits our profile and he brings some size to the table.”

(6th round) 167th – Milton Oscarson – Forward
Orebro HK (SHL) – 45 Games; 1-2-3

Doneghey’s Take: “Played on the same team as Leo Carlsson, so we saw him a lot. He also played for Sweden in the World Juniors tournament. Projects bottom-six, penalty killer, solid skater, but he’s 6-6, 200 something pounds and he takes up a lot of ice. He’s very good IQ, probably more penalty kill than anything, but he’s very responsible defensively.”

(7th round) 195th – Janne Peltonen – Defenseman
Karpat U20 – 40 Games; 3-6-9

Doneghey’s Take: “I’ll tell you guys again like I did last year with Tohila, I’ve never seen him play. But Mikko Luoma, he’s got a thing for Finnish guys and he knows them pretty well and Peltonen’s a 6-3, left-shot defenseman that can skate. He’s practicing in the Liiga right now with Karpat, probably play up and down between junior and Liiga, but he meets our traits of skating, good size at 6-3, and competitive player.”

Miss Any? Chicago Hockey Now’s Full Prospect Coverage from Nashville at the 2023 NHL Draft

Part One – First Round Recap
Part Two – Second Round Recap