Through 13 games in the 2024-25 season, the Blackhawks have been full of surprises. Who could have predicted that fourth-line grinder Ryan Donato would be among the league leaders in points, or that much-maligned goaltender Arvid Soderblom would have a .927 save percentage in three games?
Another player hasn’t been quite as prominent in the scoring column, but has still been quite the pleasant surprise. Lukas Reichel absolutely had to return to his former self this season, and so far, he’s done just that and more.
After a tough preseason, Reichel was sat down for the first four games of the campaign. Once he was given an opportunity, though, he didn’t look back. In nine games since returning to the lineup, Reichel has notched six points, including an assist in each of this weekend’s back-to-back games.
Perhaps most importantly, Reichel has battled to an impressive plus-minus of +2 despite his team being 5-7-1. That mark is evidence of his work on both ends of the ice, which hasn’t been lost on general manager Kyle Davidson.
“[Reichel] looks more confident and more assertive with the puck. That’s the strength of his game: his speed and skill with the puck and [ability to] make things happen. But you’re also seeing him fight for pucks and win those 50/50 battles. Those are all things the coaching staff has asked of him, so it’s positive strides.”
– GM Kyle Davidson
Davidson even mentioned that Reichel’s recent performance was enough to change his mind about him. It sounds as if Davidson and head coach Luke Richardson had a difference in opinions about the young forward, and so far, Richardson has been proven right.
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Sunday that Davidson had a change of heart from training camp. During camp, Davidson said he didn’t want to see Reichel relegated to a fourth-line role. He’s clearly spent most of the season there, next to Pat Maroon and Craig Smith. Since it’s been so successful, Davidson said he was fine with keeping him there, so it sounds like Reichel will be on that bottom line for the foreseeable future, at least until it stops working.
That decision will likely keep him around 12 minutes of ice time per game, but it’s also worth noting that Reichel was recently promoted to the top power-play unit. He’ll continue to get more ice time than players like Smith, at least until he’s bumped off the unit, if that ever happens.
