Chicago weighs Nick Lardis' AHL surge against Roman Kantserov's KHL upside

Lardis keeps pushing the pace in Rockford, showing the same acceleration that drew Chicago to him when they drafted him sixty seventh in 2023. His early AHL season features consistent rush chances, strong shot volume, and a quiet maturity for a nineteen-year-old winger.

He wins races, forces turnovers, and already owns double-digit points, which aligns with his strong finish in the OHL last year.

Kantserov arrived with more mystery when the Blackhawks selected him forty-fourth in 2023, but his KHL growth curve has become the louder storyline.

He produced efficient even-strength offense for Magnitogorsk last season, finishing with twenty-four points in fifty games, and his ability to attack from the interior separates him from many young wingers. Coaches love his poise under pressure, and his off-puck awareness has sharpened each year.

Chicago does not need to rush either player, but both are trending toward serious NHL looks next season.

The front office values Lardis for his engine and transitional speed, which fits Luke Richardson's preference for quicker exits and layered forecheck support. They see Kantserov as a higher-ceiling playmaker who thrives when the game slows down in the offensive zone.

Fans feel optimistic because both players bring different tools that can raise Chicago's scoring floor. My sense is that supporters lean slightly toward Kantserov because of his creativity, though everyone respects Lardis for his safer projection.
Their timelines intersect neatly with Chicago's rebuild pace.

The Blackhawks have struggled to generate slot chances this season, sitting near the bottom of the league in five-on-five goals, so internal skill bumps matter.

Lardis attacks wide lanes and drives defenders back, while Kantserov manipulates coverages with quick touches that free space inside the dots. If both hit their marks, Chicago gains two badly needed scoring layers.

The original spark for this debate came from a scouting note that framed the question as preference rather than certainty.

Chicago will not make final decisions until camp battles settle the picture, but the encouraging part is simple: the pipeline finally feels stocked again, and both players are earning real attention.