NHL Rumors: Canucks Working On A Trade Involving Lukas Reichel
According to Ben Kuzma of The Province, the Vancouver Canucks are once again willing to entertain trade offers for the former first-round pick, just months after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks. What was supposed to be a change-of-scenery opportunity has instead turned into another reminder of how far Reichel still is from becoming the top-six scorer many projected him to be.
With the Canucks entering a clear transition phase, patience around the 23-year-old appears to have run out quickly, emphasized by Vancouver placing him on waivers just days ago.
Why the Vancouver Canucks are ready to move Lukas Reichel
Reichel’s struggles in Vancouver mirrored many of the issues that followed him out of Chicago. Kuzma pointed to poor decision-making, turnovers, a lack of battle, and missed scoring chances as the primary reasons Reichel was demoted to the Abbotsford Canucks after clearing waivers.
Canucks are trying to trade Reichel.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) December 14, 2025
There is a chance of a deal happening.
In 14 NHL games with Vancouver, he managed just one assist and failed to secure a consistent role despite being shifted between center and wing. There were flashes early on, including a strong outing against the New York Rangers in late October, but those moments faded fast as mistakes piled up and confidence appeared to drain.
What Lukas Reichel still offers on the trade market
Despite the disappointment, Reichel isn’t without appeal. He is still only 23, skates well, and owns a respectable shot, traits that once made him the 17th overall pick in the 2020 draft. For teams dealing with injuries or searching for low-cost upside before the roster freeze, Reichel could be viewed as a buy-low option rather than a finished product.
Lukas Reichel will be reporting to Abbotsford until a trade happens.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) December 15, 2025
Reichel's agent Alain Roy has permission from the Canucks to help facilitate a trade.#Canucks
The Canucks initially paid a 2027 fourth-round pick to acquire him, and the hope internally was that a new environment would unlock something that never quite surfaced in Chicago. Instead, Vancouver is now indicating that it’s open to cutting bait again, potentially recouping a mid-to-late round pick if the right opportunity arises.
Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
