Lukas Reichel Absence To Begin Season Hurts The Blackhawks

Throughout the Chicago Blackhawks opening night 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club, fans could see head coach Luke Richardson was still working to figure out his lines.

Star center Connor Bedard spent some time playing alongside Teuvo Teravainan and Ilya Mikheyev. He also spent some time with Teravainan and Nick Foligno paired together. Bedard even spent some time playing with Pat Maroon. All in all, the Blackhawks are trying to figure out how to succeed early in the year – on a four game road trip before the team’s home opener.

One player was missing from Tuesday night’s action. Lukas Reichel was scratched to start the season. Reichel, who was drafted 17th overall in 2020 and has long been considered a major piece in the future of the team, couldn’t crack the lineup in the season opener.

Lukas Reichel’s absence hurts the Blackhawks.

While watching the Blackhawks lose 5-2 to Utah – Lukas Reichel came to mind. Not because of his play this preseason or the fact the young forward hasn’t completely found his game just yet – but because of the fact the Hawks had some holes in the lineup and it doesn’t seem like Reichel can solve their problems.

With Richardson tinkering with Bedard’s linemates to find the right match, Reichel seems like a logical pick to play alongside Bedard. But his lack of shooting and overall performance in the preseason kept him out of the lineup. Reichel has long had the potential to be a top six forward, but now it is time for him to show it. For the Blackhawks to take a step forward this season – the are almost banking on Reichel coming into the lineup and showing he can be a difference maker.

Reichel’s absence hurts the Blackhawks, because the Chicago envisioned him taking on a big role. It looked like the Blackhawks forward units last night were missing a piece. Sure, Frank Nazar would have been a dream second line center for this team, but Reichel taking on a role in the top six would have been even more important.

If Reichel is playing alongside Kurashev and Bertuzzi on the second line it would give the Hawks the option to bring Hall to the top line with Bedard and Teravainen. Which, in turn would open up a spot for Mikheyev on the third line with Foligno and Dickinson.

Reichel controls his fate. A bad preseason gave the Hawks no choice but to scratch the 22-year-old, but what remains to be seen is how he responds. Can Reichel come into the lineup and force the Hawks to keep him in night in and night out? Can he be that impact top six forward the team needs him to be? Time will tell.