NHL Rumors: Blackhawks Still Shopping Lukas Reichel; 2 Teams Linked
Once considered a cornerstone prospect, the 2020 first-round pick has yet to cement his place in Chicago’s lineup, and patience from the organization appears to have worn thin.
Reichel enters his fifth Blackhawks training camp facing uncertain odds. While he showed flashes alongside Connor Bedard and Nick Lardis in preseason action, Chicago’s depth chart has become crowded with younger prospects like Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene passing him by.
Head coach Jeff Blashill acknowledged that Reichel’s skill set is geared toward a top-six role, but emphasized the need for him to adapt his game if he’s to carve out a spot lower in the lineup.
Lukas Reichel with a perfect flip-pass to set up Sam Lafferty on a breakaway but he can't get a shot off pic.twitter.com/MJrRdUN9oF
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 28, 2025
Former top prospect on the trade block
General manager Kyle Davidson called this a “prove-it camp” for Reichel, who tallied eight goals and 22 points in 70 games last season. Still, with Chicago bringing in veterans such as Ilya Mikheyev, Jason Dickinson, and Frank Nazar expected to slot into the forward mix, the German winger may be the odd man out.
If he doesn’t make the opening night roster, waivers loom; a risk the Blackhawks may prefer to avoid by moving him via trade.
Lukas Reichel, who I believe can have a significant role as a bottom six center on the Chicago Blackhawks, is already named to Team Germany.
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) September 29, 2025
That 🇩🇪 team is a dark horse to win some games in Milan. https://t.co/ItgwGGce4d
The Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers have both been mentioned as potential suitors, with each team still weighing depth options up front.
For Toronto, Reichel could provide a low-cost swing as they look to support their core with younger talent. The Rangers, meanwhile, continue to explore ways to balance their lineup behind Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.
Reichel, signed through this season at a $1.2 million cap hit before restricted free agency, has 20 goals and 54 points across 169 career NHL games.
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
