The Journey of Lukas Reichel as a Chicago Blackhawk

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Former Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman picked Lukas Reichel in 2020 with the 17th pick of the first round. For many it was a bit of a surprise as the German forward showed up on most scout service lists somewhere in the late 1st to early 2nd round as a baseline for where he may be selected.

Blackhawk Up even recalled the pick in an article months ago at the time of Reichel's healthy scratch that the Blackhawks did pass on Dawson Mercer in lieu of the speedy forward from Nurnberg, Germany. For most, it was a typical Stan Bowman move. Here was a player that clearly had a lot of talent and promise, but also some question marks to his game, that was now going to be soley viewed as a mid 1st round selection. But should he be?

Here is the Blackhawks' "On the Clock" video from the selection in 2020:

You can see how happy Lukas was being selected by the team he grew up watching. As the days went on and fans and media alike started to get to know him, the narrative started to shift. Here was a good hands, crafty wing for whomever the next generation 1st line center was going to be. A player that could score, keep possession, and receive difficult passes from other skilled players.

Lukas Reichel in his time from draft prospect to Chicago Blackhawk:

As Lukas Reichel now had the attention of all Blackhawks fans around the world he would play another successful season with his German team Eisbaren in the DEL. Lukas would continue his strong play with a 27 point season (38 games) before making his way to North America.

During this time the Chicago Blackhawks would be going through some difficult times. From sexual assault scandals, to firings, to play on the ice... it was beginning to seem like that full tear down rebuild was going to happen soon.

Lukas Reichel was better than advertised in his first season with the Rockford Icehogs in the AHL. After a quick 11 game stint in the NHL the Icehogs center defied expectations by being an over a point per game player as a 19 year old. This was in line with his draft position of a mid 1st round pick and it appeared that the supposed "reach" was in fact a great pick.

Even the next season (last year) Reichel would not only duplicate his AHL play from the year before but finish the year as a Chicago Blackhawk (and in grand fashion with 15 points in 23 games) and the conversation would begin to emerge that maybe he is even better than where former GM Stan Bowman took him.

St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks / Jamie Sabau/GettyImages

But not so fast...... How has this year gone? How bad has it been for Lukas Reichel?

Without typing another word on his play, let's review how it must have looked from Lukas Reichel's development view. As an 18 year old perceived 30-40 range selected prospect playing in the DEL to being drafted 15-25 spots higher than expected to the team he follows that has a handful of the prior dynasty team still on the roster.... That must have been alot to take in as a teenager.

The NHL 100 presented by GEICO - Show / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

To pile onto that crucial development time, the General Manager and leadership group that drafted him would be let go. The team would go through multiple coaching changes and searches at all levels as well. All this, while trying to increase your proficiency in a second language and moving half way around the world away from your family.

Despite these complications, Reichel put up 108 points in 111 games in Rockford (regular season) as a young forward. They played him at center which was likely a decision based on skill amongst the forward group (he was switched from wing to center in the DEL as well) though the prognosis amongst many was that as a draft eligible Lukas Reichel was going to be an NHL LW / RW.

From everything on the ice (from another year in the DEL, to international competitions, to AHL play, to an end of season stint with the Blackhawks) the 2023-2024 season for Lukas Reichel was going to be a big step in solidifying himself as a top 6 NHL forward.

So far Lukas Reichel has played 44 games for the Blakhawks this season and produced just 9 points (3g, 6a) for the 31st ranked team in the league. That doesn't tell the whole story of course, but it does equate to a dissconnect (as eluded to in the prior pages) in his progression at some point. Thus far, Reichel has been a healthy scratch, been on the top line, and even a 4th liner with just over 10 minutes of TOI (time on ice) in games that saw the team regularly place AHL veterans or experienced bottom 6 NHL players in prominent offensive roles.

Chicago Blackhawks v Seattle Kraken / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Head coach Luke Richardson is in his corner though, constantly giving the young player a vote of confidence and offering positive speak about his ability both in the media and presumably in private. We here at Blackhawk Up, as many fans have as well, see the flashes of play. A stick lift back check steal, a velocity saucer pass in tight coverage to a streaking Hawk, or a speed rush without numbers to keep possession and gain quality attempts. The skill and ability is clearly there, we all see (although inconsistently this season) this.

So what may be the issue? Why can't Lukas Reichel breakthough into a top 6 permanent role on THIS team that is without most of their highly skilled players? It may be as simple as that it is actually "many things".

From coming to a new country and language, to seeing your draft position now carry loftier expectations than were anticipated, to having your new team in the media for the wrong reasons constantly, to then having all of your future teammates (future Hall of Famers at that) move on before you can truly even arrive long enough to rent an apartment.... No Lukas Reichel hasn't played well this year, but the skill is there and he is just 21 years old. The team is in a rebuild and that will take time, the time we should all be affording Lukas Reichel at this moment.

Maybe instead of constantly thinking about what's wrong with Lukas Reichel's play, let's start asking what's gone wrong with everything around him since he was drafted.

Colorado Avalanche v Chicago Blackhawks / Michael Reaves/GettyImages

Better days are ahead for #27, from his play on the ice, to the health of the team, to the W's in the win column. Time is on the Blackhawks side afterall...

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