Breaking Report: According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Chicago Blackhawks are actively shopping former first-round pick Lukas Reichel, with both the organization and player understanding that a change of scenery might be necessary.
What Friedman Revealed
On his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman dropped a bombshell about the 2020 17th overall pick’s future in Chicago:
The mutual understanding between player and organization suggests this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction, but rather a carefully considered decision that benefits both parties.
The Numbers Tell a Disappointing Story
- 169 career games: 20 goals, 34 assists (54 points)
- 2023-24 season: 8 goals, 14 assists in 70 games
- Career plus/minus: -61
- Age: 23 years old
For a player selected 17th overall, these numbers represent a significant gap between expectations and reality. The minus-61 rating particularly stands out as a red flag, indicating defensive struggles that have likely frustrated the coaching staff.
Where It All Went Wrong
Reichel entered the organization with tremendous pedigree as the son of former NHL forward Robert Reichel. His junior and international numbers suggested a player capable of becoming a consistent 20-goal scorer at the NHL level.
However, several factors appear to have derailed his development in Chicago:
- Defensive Inconsistencies: The -61 rating suggests ongoing issues in his own zone
- Limited Ice Time: Struggled to earn consistent top-six minutes
- System Fit: May not match the style the Blackhawks want to play
- Development Timeline: Organization may have lost patience with his progression
A Blackhawks Fan’s Perspective
As Hawks fans, we’ve watched this situation develop with growing frustration. Reichel showed flashes of the skill that made him a first-round pick, but the consistency never materialized. While it’s disappointing to give up on a young player with potential, sometimes a fresh start benefits everyone involved.
The reality is our rebuild timeline doesn’t align with waiting indefinitely for a player to find his game. With Connor Bedard leading our future and prospects like Artyom Levshunov and Frank Nazar in the pipeline, we need to make room for players who can contribute meaningfully to our next competitive window.
Draft Class Context: What Could Have Been
Looking back at the 2020 draft, several players selected after Reichel have developed into more impactful NHL contributors:
- Dawson Mercer (18th overall): Solid two-way center for New Jersey
- Connor Zary (24th overall): Promising forward for Calgary
- JJ Peterka (34th overall): Emerging scorer for Buffalo
- Alex Laferriere (83rd overall): Late-round gem for Los Angeles
While hindsight is always 20/20, these comparisons highlight the opportunity cost of the Reichel selection.
Trade Market and Potential Destinations
Despite his struggles in Chicago, Reichel could represent an intriguing buy-low opportunity for other organizations. Several factors work in his favor:
- Age: At 23, he’s still in his prime development years
- Pedigree: First-round talent with proven scoring ability at lower levels
- Contract: Likely affordable for teams looking to add depth
- Change of Scenery: Sometimes a new system unlocks hidden potential
Impact on Blackhawks Rebuild
Moving Reichel represents more than just trading a underperforming asset. It signals the organization’s commitment to their current rebuild timeline and core group of prospects.
With Bedard established as the franchise cornerstone and promising prospects throughout the system, the Blackhawks can afford to be selective about which players earn long-term roster spots.
What This Means for Other Prospects
The willingness to move on from a recent first-round pick sends a clear message to other prospects in the system: performance matters more than draft position. This could motivate players like Nazar and other developing forwards to seize their opportunities when they arrive.
Potential Return and Timeline
Given Reichel’s struggles, the Blackhawks likely won’t receive significant value in return. Realistic expectations might include:
- Mid-round draft pick
- Depth prospect from another organization
- Future considerations
- Package deal as part of a larger trade
Looking Ahead
While it’s never easy to give up on a former first-round pick, the Reichel situation demonstrates the Blackhawks’ evolution as an organization. Rather than clinging to past decisions, they’re making tough choices to accelerate their rebuild.
For Reichel, a trade could provide the fresh start needed to unlock his potential. Sometimes a change of scenery, coaching philosophy, or role within a team can resurrect a struggling career.
As Hawks fans, we’ll always wonder “what if,” but the focus now shifts to the promising young core that gives us genuine reason for optimism about the future at the United Center.
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/theahl/52671635524/