Blackhawks Trade Rumors: Reichel Deal Imminent, Potential Return Revealed

The Chicago Blackhawks and failed first-round pick Lukas Reichel have been on a course to part ways for most of the offseason. But now, according to insider Frank Seravalli on Bleacher Report, a trade is imminent, and the return will not be what Hawks fans might have had in mind.

My understanding is that the Hawks have been pretty active in the past couple of days in engaging with teams who have called about Lukas Reichel...
They are working on a deal to have him land somewhere likely before next week when rosters are completed. And... this is not gonna be a big return, we're talking probably a mid to late round pick.

Certainly, Reichel has not done much to live up to his first-round (17th pick overall, 2020 Draft) pedigree, and it's not too surprising that Chicago won't be able to command a good return.

The 6-foot German winger has averaged just five goals a year in parts of four seasons with the Blackhawks. In 2024-25 he had 'career highs' of eight goals and 22 points in 70 games while getting just 11:55 average ice time.

But he's only 23, and he certainly earned that first-round pedigree back in 2020 for a reason. There are no doubt plenty of teams that would be interested in giving him a fresh start, especially at that price.

Reichel could be headed to Edmonton Oilers: Insider

And if we are to take heed of insider Jim Matheson's suggestion, it sounds like the Edmonton Oilers are a likely bet to land Reichel.

I have beaten this drum before but I still see Oiler GM Stan Bowman interested in Hawks Lukas Reichel. For sure Reichel has spun his wheels in Chicago but Bowman drafted forward in first round in 2020. Plus having Draisaitl to help with his German countryman might work
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) September 29, 2025

Yes, current Oilers GM Stan Bowman is the man who drafted Reichel for Chicago when he was the GM there. And Matheson's point about countryman Leon Draisaitl being around to mentor Reichel is a good one. This could be a match.

Seravalli believes that the youngster could still put it all together, in the right situation.

"I think when watching Reichel's game pretty closely, you see the skill that's there, and you see the skating ability and you go, 'How can this guy not put it all together in the NHL?'. And you think that it's a foregone conclusion that he will at some point."