Anders Sorensen - Jan. 5 Chicago Blackhawks Media Availability postgame

There has become a logjam on the Chicago Blackhawks and it is hurting one young forward in particular. Lukas Reichel has been pushed out of the lineup recently and as the team is at the very bottom of the standings, that isn't the best path for someone of his age, skill, and potential.

In recent weeks, Frank Nazar and Colton Dach have deservedly been called up and put in the lineup playing on the second or third lines. While this has happened, Reichel has been bumped out of the lineup and has sat in the press box since the Blackhawks' Winter Classic game on Dec. 31.

The fourth line, where Reichel has spent the majority of the season, now has Pat Maroon, Craig Smith, and Ryan Donato on it. Donato should, without a doubt, be higher up in the lineup, but as he shouldn't be the one to sit and the other veterans haven't done poorly this season, a move has to be made to create space.

It is about time that the young players are in the lineup and contributing at the NHL level, and that includes Reichel who started the season with the Blackhawks. He is only 22 years old and while it appeared as though he was going to get a chance after a strong ending to his season in the AHL and World Championship in 2024 as well as a solid training camp, he has averaged 12:30 of ice time per game and played on the fourth line.

The future has to be now for the Blackhawks, and that doesn't entail the likes of Maroon or Smith, who should both be traded by the trade deadline. The Blackhawks are not competing this season with a record of 13-25-2, and the sooner the players on expiring contracts are moved, the easier it will be for the rest of the team to grow, especially the less experienced players.

It does no good for a player like Reichel to be sitting in the press box for games while he is still developing and expected to get better. While it shouldn't really matter exactly where a player was drafted, there is still an expectation for a former 17th overall pick who hasn't broken out yet and still has a few years to show he can.

Since the Blackhawks should be selling, I won't assume, but I hope that there are already conversations with teams about which pieces they would like from the team. Veterans like Taylor Hall, Maroon, Smith, and maybe even Donato if Chicago doesn't want to re-sign him, are all viable trade chips.

Even if none of them fetch an amazing return, which I don't expect them to, it at least frees up a spot in the lineup for a player like Reichel. This can't wait until the trade deadline on March 7 either. Reichel hasn't played poorly this season with three goals and 11 points, but he can do more and could still be a key part of the Blackhawks' future.

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