Luke Richardson is on the hot seat following removal of two key players from lineup vs sharks Thursday
The Chicago Blackhawks faced the San Jose Sharks last night, as both teams are rebuilding, this was an interesting match-up from former bottom-dwellers.
But there's something wrong with the projected lineup last night, as Head Coach Luke Richardson made a significant move in the lineup.
Once again, Donato has been a positive force for the Chicago Blackhawks, providing 1 goal in 3 games, and is scratched once more. While he has 2 PIMs to his name, does he really have that short of a leash?
So, Ryan Donato sat again for a second game as Lukas Reichel draws into the fourth-line center role.
This is troubling news, as Reichel has hardly-shown his ability to use his size on the ice, and hasn't been confident in the preseason.
Reichel showed promise in the IIHF competitions this summer, but is he ready to take on a role meant for grinders?
He's more of an offensive center, and if this is how Richardson is running things now well, maybe he's due for another run in the AHL to build up his defensive game. The move has alarmed fans and caused outrage on X.com and honestly, we can't blame them.
Donato is an effective forechecking forward, and Reichel hasn't panned out in the Blackhawks system.
Maybe, just maybe Reichel needs a fresh start in the NHL elsewhere.
Last season Reichel scored 16 points in the NHL( 5, G 11 A) in 65 games and was sent down to the AHL and scored 8 points( 1 G, 7 A) in 10 games.
It seems that Lukas Reichel really needs to have a really good game, or else it could be another streak of bad luck for the Hawks and Reichel.
Yet again Donato sits in the doghouse.
What did he do to piss off Luke Richardson exactly?
Reichel was a player who could chase down the puck and help win «battles through second efforts.» That play has been missing from Reichel's game.
These are the scouting reports on Reichel in 2020, and they haven't panned out to be correct so far.
