Blackhawks: The pros and cons of calling up Lukas Reichel

The Chicago Blackhawks have a top prospect in Rockford right now playing some great hockey. Should they consider calling Lukas Reichel up to the NHL for a chance in the NHL?

Blackhawks prospects Lukas Reichel is the organizations’ number one prospect at this time, and he has not played an NHL game yet.

Reichel was drafted in the first round of the 2020 draft by then general manager Stan Bowman. Since then, Reichel has only gotten better and is someone that very well could be in the lineup at this point and time for the team.

With the Blackhawks struggling out of the gate this season, they could use all the help they can get in the offensive and defensive zone. Before we jump into the pros and cons of moving him up to the NHL. Let’s talk a little about who Reichel is. Lukas Reichel was drafted 17th overall in 2020 by the Chicago Blackhawks.

He does not have a lot of size as he is only 6’0″ and weighs 170 pounds according to eliteprospects. The young forward is 19 years old and through the first eights games of the AHL season with the IceHogs, he has eights points, six goals, and two assists.

In his last game, he happened to score a hattrick.

The pros to calling up Lukas Reichel now.

1. That is what the season is all about. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have started off 2-9-2 on the year. That is not going to get them into the playoffs. This season is now all about next year and the year after that. Reichel is definitely going to be a part of that next group of players so why not give him some NHL time to see what he can do against the best of the best.

2. He is familiar with the coach. 

Lukas Reichel has been with the Rockford IceHogs all season. Up until Saturday, Derek King was his head coach in Rockford. If King has been brought up why not bring Reichel with him. This is the coach he knows and is comfortable with, and maybe that can spark something offensively for the young forward, or of course, they could just keep bringing up Reese Johnson instead.

3. The team could use someone with that skill. 

Reichel definitely is one of the team’s top 12 forwards in the organization. They could use him on a line with Kirby Dach or Jonathan Toews and add to the depth in the lineup. Calling Reichel up is the right decision for a team trying to win some games and make this season look a little more respectable. Now let’s jump in with the cons.