Before the Blackhawks drafted Connor Bedard first overall in 2023, forward Lukas Reichel was their top prospect according to THN Future Watch scouts. Connor Bedard in action last week in New York against the Islanders. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NDY5NTUwNDcxMjkyNDE0/usatsi_22930293_168401008_lowres.jpg] Connor Bedard in action last week in New York against the Islanders. Now Bedard, the NHL's leading rookie scorer is slated to skate on a line with Reichel and red-hot Philipp Kurashev on Wednesday night at St. Louis. Call it an attempt at a 1-2 punch. Bedard, who has 22 goals and 37 assists in 63 games, also will return to the scene of his famous "Michigan" or lacrosse style backhand flip goal against Blues goalie Jordan Binnington on Dec. 23. Chicago lost that game 7-5 after building a three-goal lead. YOUNG TRIO: WHY NOT? Chicago coach Luke Richardson likes juggling his lines, even if Bedard and Kurashev have skated together and clicked often. The Blackhawks mustered little offensively in a 4-0 loss to Minnesota on Sunday, so why not try a different wrinkle as the season winds down? Reichel fires against Dallas in a 3-2 win on Saturday. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NTU3NjMyMTk3NTM0Nzk0/usatsi_22955921_168401008_lowres.jpg] Reichel fires against Dallas in a 3-2 win on Saturday. "I just thought he's played pretty good lately," Richardson said of Reichel. "He's had some good bursts of speed and shooting pucks. "I think they looked good today in practice and I think Lukas has had some chemistry with Kurashev in the past, too. So just put three young guys who hang out together and spend a lot of time talking together and hopefully that can translate a little bit into something on the ice." See following video. Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson talks about placing Lukas Reichel on a line with Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev against St. Louis Reichel has shown flashes of improved determination and focus since returning from a month-long demotion to AHL Rockford. The wiry 21-year-old German rejoined Chicago on March 17 and has one goal and three assist in nine games. Reichel's overall production — four goals and 10 assists — is a fraction of what Blackhawks hoped for from their 2020 first-round draft pick. He progressed last season and was slotted as their No. 2 center this year. But Reichel seems to be regaining confidence and driving into hard areas to make plays. That included plowing down the slot against two Dallas defenders to set up Andreas Athanasiou's goal in a 3-2 win over the Stars on Saturday. "That's what we talked about with Anders (Rockford coach Sorensen) and Luke too," Reichel said. "Be hard on the puck and win battles. I'm not the strongest guy, but I still can go through hands and hit guys. I feel like I wasn't doing that earlier in the season." See following video. Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel talks about return to Chicago from the AHL and playing on a line with Connor Bedard in St. Louis on Wednesday, April 10. The exact positions for the three will be somewhat fluid. Bedard is a natural center, but can float to the win. Reichel can play center or wing. Kurashev has seven goals and 19 points in his last 17 games. He has 16 goals and 51 points for the season, second only to Bedard on the team. LINEUP UPDATES Peter Mrazek will extend his personal high with his 51st start in goal. See the story in the link. Jarred Tinordi will return on defense after 21-year-old Wyatt Kaiser was re-assigned to AHL Rockford. Winger Taylor Raddysh will be back in the lineup after sitting two games. A 20-goal scorer last season, Raddysh has just five in 70 contests this season and hasn't connected since Dec. 14 at Seattle.
