In a roster move that flew under the radar, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled Lukas Reichel from the AHL Rockford IceHogs on Friday. When the Blackhawks took the ice for practice on Saturday, Reichel skated on the third line with Andreas Athanasiou and Nick Foligno.
Reichel spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Blackhawks but posted underwhelming numbers, resulting in a demotion to Rockford in mid-February. Looking to regain his form, the German forward played nine games with Rockford and posted seven points (one goal, six assists), just three shy of his season total in 50 games at the NHL level.
"At first, you're just pissed off and you're frustrated," Reichel said of the demotion. "But then the next day I woke up and I said: 'I'm going to turn this around and try my best down there and help this team win.'
"Just refocus again and go down there and try to have a good mentality and try to stay positive. It was not easy, but it definitely helped me."
The Blackhawks need to jumpstart Reichel, and they're hoping putting him alongside Athanasiou will do the trick.
Reichel scored 15 points in 23 NHL games last season, and the bulk of his production came while skating alongside Athanasiou and Philipp Kurashev down the home stretch of the schedule.
Kurashev has developed excellent chemistry with rookie phenom Connor Bedard, keeping him on the first line for the time being. But Athanasiou is working his way back from a long-term groin/hip injury and still finding his place in the Blackhawks' lineup.
Those circumstances led to a Reichel-Athanasiou reunion, which could be beneficial for both players in the final weeks of the season. The Blackhawks don't have much to play for besides draft positioning, but the final 15 games will be crucial for Reichel, a pending restricted free agent.
More must-reads: