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Lukas Reichel has been the most polarizing storyline of the Chicago Blackhawks’ season, and not for the right reasons. There were high expectations for the 17th pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He averaged nearly a point per game during his two American Hockey League seasons with the Rockford IceHogs. He was called up for good last March and put up seven goals and 15 points in 23 NHL games, including four goals and eight points in the final eight contests of the season.
But the 2023-24 season has been a major struggle for Reichel. He started the year playing center and seemed to be focused so much on his defensive game that it took away from his offensive production. He never got that offensive confidence rolling this season, scoring just three goals and 10 points in 50 NHL games.
After being a healthy scratch multiple times, Reichel was finally set back down to Rockford after the Feb. 13 game against the Vancouver Canucks. His reassignment was to be used to get his confidence back and start playing an effective style of hockey. In nine games, he scored one goal and seven points before being recalled by the Blackhawks Friday night.
Reichel admitted that he was nervous stepping on the ice on Saturday —so much so that he sailed his first shot far above the net. Once he heard laughter and some razzing from his teammates, he settled down.
“I was just excited to see all the guys here,” he said after practice. “You don’t want to look bad in your first practice.”
When told about his demotion to the AHL, the 21-year-old forward revealed he wasn’t thrilled. However, he quickly got into the right mindset and began to put in the work.
“At first, I was pissed off and frustrated,” Reichel admitted. “Then, the next day, I woke up and said, I’m going to turn this around and try my best down there to help the team win. It was not easy, but it definitely helped.”
A lot of smiles from Lukas Reichel today following his first practice back with the Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/k6CD17cJOu
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) March 16, 2024
Reichel was set up on a line with Andreas Athanasiou at center and Nick Foligno on the other wing. Reichel and Athanasiou had some great chemistry at the end of last season, so the hope is that they can rekindle that magic over the last 15 games of the campaign. Head coach Luke Richardson added that Athanasiou has been skating so well since returning that he wants to use his speed down the middle of the ice.
“There was some chemistry in the past, and I discussed that with both of them,” Richardson said. “They are likeminded, and with the speed, they are on the same pace. And Nick will be a good complement. He’ll do the work in front of the net and in the corners. He’ll keep them going and keep them on target.”
It will be huge for him and the team if Reichel can get things going and produce some down the stretch. A confident player is a hard player to slow down, and Reichel hasn’t had much confidence this season. I wrote yesterday how a strong finish for the team can carry over into next season, and the same can be said for the young forward. He is an easy kid to root for, and everyone should hope for his success.
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