Blackhawks suddenly remove Lukas Reichel from their lineup: trade? We have the details
The Chicago Blackhawks have some issues, as after the 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Luke Richardson will have to change up the lines, to find the optimal chemistry between the 12 forwards.
The Head Coach was still experimenting with the lines, as he paired Connor Bedard, with Teuvo Teraveinen, switching out the left wing, with Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Foligno, and Pat Maroon.
That one player who didn't get any ice time, as a healthy scratch, was the 17th overall pick in 2020, Lukas Reichel.
- Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson
That gives us some pause, as to how is Reichel going to win his way back into the lineup if he can't even compete.
Of course, Reichel's lack of consistency is ultimately what has harmed his ability to find a spot in the lineup, but not even giving him minutes, while putting Pat Maroon on the top line, is suspect.
Can Reichel solve the holes in the Blackhawk's lineup? It's debatable.
But could he have done a better job than a 4th line grinder like Maroon, whose game has been on a continual decline since 2020? Absolutely!
- Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson
Reichel's absence doesn't give the Blackhawks the flexibility they need on the 1st and third lines. If they place him on the second with Kurashev, and Bertuzzi that would allow Mikheyev to play on a line, where he's been great on the third with Jason Dickinson, and Joey Anderson.
While this could push Taylor Hall up to the 1st, and give Hall the chance to fulfill the role he was brought in for.
This would give Reichel one last shot at being a top-six forward, with the Blackhawks before they decide to close the case on his time with the Hawks.
It's just shameful that Reichel seems determined at this point to relive last season's troubles this early into 2024-2025.
Will it be a case of Reichel needing a fresh start? By the trade deadline, we could find out.
