Lukas Reichel Reset: Blackhawks No. 2 Prospect Behind Connor Bedard Starts Over

Before the Blackhawks bountiful 2023 draft class led by Bedard, Reichel was at the top of Chicago's prospect list. But Reichel has been a disappointment so far this season. See story with videos.

Lukas Reichel was back in the Blackhawks lineup on Tuesday night, supposedly with renewed commitment after being a healthy scratch on Sunday in Minnesota.

It's time for a reset for the 21-year-old forward, Chicago’s first round draft pick, 17^th overall, in 2020. He's the nephew of former longtime NHLer Robert Reichel, who scored 40 goals twice and topped the 20-mark seven times.

Lukas Reichel was rated as the top prospect in the Blackhawks organization (including by the THN scouting panel), ahead of defenseman Kevin Korchinski prior to Chicago’s bountiful 2023 draft class led by Connor Bedard.

This was supposed to be a quiet breakout year for Reichel, primed to do some offensive damage with his speed and skill with the spotlight on Bedard. But so far, 2023-24 has been mostly a bust for the wiry German, who had just two goals and six points in 22 games despite ample ice time, including on the power play.

“He just needs to re-evaluate his game” coach Luke Richardson said on Tuesday before the Blackhawks hosted Nashville. “I think he needed to step back and take a good look at it. I think we had a good chat this morning about him just coming to work tonight and not worrying about where he is in the lineup and working his way up.

“He knows that if he can get his game going and his skating going, he will be rewarded when there’s an opportunity."  See the video.

Reichel was pencilled in on the left wing of Chicago’s fourth line, with Ryan Donato and MacKenzie Entwistle. The Blackhawks entered on a three-game losing streak and had dropped nine of 11.

“Everybody has to check in this league,” Richardson said. “Is it a style of line he’d probably fit long term? Maybe no. But he has to show some determination and get in consistent battles and win some pucks. This is a good starting point for him.”

It’s the general competitiveness Richardson has reminded most his players about all season. Bedard usually has it. Reichel, not yet.

Reichel had dazzled with speed and slick passing with Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) as something of a prodigy starting at age 17. The concern about the soft-spoken forward was that he needed to put muscle on his 6-foot, 170-pound frame and assert himself with relentless skating to prosper in the NHL and on its smaller ice surfaces.

Reichel was making clear progress last season. We was stronger. He was keeping his feet moving, pressuring opponents offensively and defensively. He was cutting into, through or past traffic.

In 55 games at AHL Rockford in 2022-23, Reichel had 21 goals and 36 assists. In 23 games over three call-ups to Chicago, he had seven goals and 15 points as he got increasingly involved in the NHL’s tempo and contact.

After being anointed the Blackhawks No. 2 center behind Bedard to start this season, a lot of that suddenly stopped. Reichel had some flashes, even driving into tough areas to make plays. But if the puck didn’t go in, he usually didn’t persevere.

That was even more clear in recent losses, Richardson said.

“He just didn’t seem himself,” Richardson said. “He started, not being frustrated, it was almost like he was down on himself. He needed just to take a step back. It’s not punishment to sit out. It’s kind of an evaluation of yourself.”  See the video.

Reichel says, albeit quietly, he’s ready to go again.

“I know I’ve got to be better,” he said. “I don’t play my game right now. It’s a good wake-up call and now it’s just about playing my game again.

“Try to work hard, stay positive and make good things happen.” See the video.