One Blackhawks prospect who might benefit from time in the AHL

After Kyle Davidson‘s additions this offseason, the Chicago Blackhawks have depth heading into the 2024-25 NHL Season. For the first time in a few seasons, players are not being handed roster spots – instead having to earn them.

The Blackhawks should have two primary goals this season – improve on the ice and continue to develop the future. One player that the Hawks definitely want to see progress has to be Lukas Reichel.

One Blackhawks prospect who might benefit from time in the AHL.

It might be weird to still consider Reichel as a prospect. The 22 year old has already played in 99 NHL games over the course of three seasons since being drafted 17th overall by the organization in 2020.

Reichel’s path to the NHL has not been ordinary. First off, he was drafted during the out of the ordinary COVID-19 Pandemic draft. His first interaction with the organization was not the normal route, with no draft combine or typical energy an in-person draft may have.

Reichel made the jump to the NHL fast, during the 2021-22 NHL Season he played in 11 games with the Blackhawks registering an assist during that time. His time with the IceHogs was even more productive putting up 21 goals and 57 points in 56 games.

Last season, Reichel did not look confident in the NHL. The play that got him drafted in the first round was missing. According to Elite Prospects 2020 NHL Draft Guide, Reichel was an “unrelenting forechecker & backchecker.”

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.

Reichel’s underlining numbers have also not been great. In the Blackhawks 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings last week, Reichel finished with a 33.33 corsi for percentage.

Reichel played in 65 games last season with Chicago – amassing 5 goals and 11 assists during that time. He had just one point more then the year prior when he played in just 23 games.

Lukas Reichel is still young.

Lukas Reichel still has plenty of time to figure things out. Kyle Davidson is still in a rebuilding mode and part of that comes helping prospects develop. Maybe Rockford could be the best spot for Reichel to continue to gain more confidence in his game while playing in a big role.

Davidson recently spoke on the importance of Rockford for developing the future of Blackhawks hockey.

“We’ll let the players decide where they should be and and we’ll go from there,” Davidson said speaking of players like Kevin Korchinski and whether they should start in the AHL or NHL. “But again, Rockford is a a massive tool in our arsenal to help these players get better and make sure that they’re heading on the right path from a long term standpoint.”

The long term is the focal point of this team, helping guys like Lukas Reichel develop will help the Blackhawks down the line.