The Blackhawks have made clear that 2020 first-round pick Lukas Reichel is available for trade “even in the last few days,” Scott Powers of The Athletic writes. Teams had been semi-fervently calling Chicago about Reichel’s availability earlier in the offseason, too. Still, he ended up remaining with the organization for a pivotal training camp that kicked off earlier this month.
Those rumors come after a pair of seasons in which Reichel has been given the opportunity higher up in the Hawks’ lineup but failed to establish himself there. He even started the 2023-24 season as the No. 2 center behind Connor Bedard but found himself quickly demoted in the lineup after a woefully unproductive start. That trend continued in 2024-25, where he quietly managed to establish his floor as an effective fourth-line piece. He spent a significant amount of time sheltered between veterans Pat Maroon and Craig Smith, actually seeing an uptick in offensive production compared to the previous year, with an 8-14-22 scoring line in 70 games. He saw just 11:55 of ice time per night and had slightly improved possession metrics compared to the previous year, despite facing more difficult defensive assignments.
That’s still not at all what the Hawks envisioned when making him the No. 17 overall pick five years ago. The 23-year-old came into the league as a highly-touted sniper with utility at center and on the wings. He looked to realize that potential in a later-season call-up from AHL Rockford in 2022-23, when he managed a 7-8–15 scoring line in just 23 appearances down the stretch and looked at home in a top-six role.
That ceiling has eluded him ever since. He now requires waivers to go to Rockford for a reset. Understandably, the risk of losing a recent first-round choice for no compensation isn’t a risk general manager Kyle Davidson has been too keen on taking. Still, it’s one he’s at least considering if Reichel doesn’t crack their opening night roster and a trade doesn’t materialize, Powers writes.
That said, Windy City-area observers note Reichel has put his best foot forward in this year’s camp. It’s also worth reading between the lines, as Powers points out, that Reichel hasn’t received many reps in bottom-six roles. A top-six one seems unlikely with André Burakovsky and Ryan Donato settling in as Bedard’s initial linemates through most of camp. Tyler Bertuzzi, Frank Nazar, and Teuvo Teräväinen are widely expected to comprise the Hawks’ second line. That leaves him out of the opening night lineup, but it may not leave him off the roster if Chicago decides to stash him in the press box to open the campaign as they did last year.
“If Reichel played the way he did in the first two preseason games in a past camp, the conversation around him might be different,” Powers wrote. “But the Blackhawks’ patience with Reichel has changed in that time, and the organization brought in many more hyped prospects since then. The Blackhawks aren’t just looking for positive signs and hoping Reichel will figure it out in the NHL any longer.” Therein lies the danger of a scorched-earth rebuild – prospects are under pressure to develop quickly, or they might be promptly replaced by a new wave of multiple high-end first-rounders and squeezed out of a role.
I’d offer the blackhawks matt Joseph, alexandrov and a 5th for him. Could be a good pickup for the blues or could be nothing. At what the cost probably is to acquire him wouldn’t be that earth shattering if he didnt pan out.
Honestly, Tampa should look at taking Lukas Reichel from Chicago pending on what they’re asking for. I would put favorable odds Reichel would find his game in Tampa’s development system. Chicago let go Dominic James and he’s showing real promise and potential with Tampa in these preseason games. James definitely has a solid future in the NHL. I’m starting to think Chicago might just not have an effective development system or they don’t know how to decipher talent adequately IMO.
James chose not to sign after his college eligibility and became a free agent. The player and team couldn’t come to terms thus becoming an FA. As far as Reichel it’s time to move on from the player.
The time for a move was last year. He used to be a change of scenery candidate but now he probably is now a let’s move on candidate. It’s too late now plus he’s been passed up by so many prospects on the Hawks it’s not even funny. Just move him and see if he can make it somewhere else.
Reichel to Buffalo for Isak Rosen.
Edmonton, he was a Stan Blowman pick, if Edmonton can tap into his old potential maybe he could be their Holloway replacement being similar picks back then, and they have a fellow German in Draisaitl which could be of some comfort too him
Reichel, And Nolan Allan, For Isak Rosen, And, Peyton Krebs.