Maple Leafs Urged to Explore Blackhawks Trade Involving German First-Round Pick
Photo credit: HockeyPatrol
A new report indicates that a recent former first round pick could be on the trade market.
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman on '32 Thoughts', former first rounder and current Chicago Blackhawk Lukas Reichel is on the trade block, with it believed that he and the Blackhawks are headed for a seemingly mutual trade.
Reichel was a first round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 17th overall. The German winger had 24 points in 42 games in his draft year for Berlin in his native Germany's top division, the DEL.
In his fourth NHL season, the 23-year-old had eight goals, 14 assists, & 22 points in 70 games last season for Chicago. In his NHL career, Reichel has 20 goals, 34 assists, & 54 points in 169 games played.
Lukas Reichel Reportedly Hits The Trade Block In Reset
The Chicago Blackhawks look to move Lukas Reichel in a trade, making a surprise deal for a young player with upside who at a time was seen as a potential top-six option for Chicago.
With the Blackhawks having a lack of options next to Connor Bedard, the hope from Chicago was to have veterans signed to put next to their star youngster, with Reichel a potential long-term option on the wing.
The move was described by Friedman as beneficial for both sides, implying Chicago may be looking to add someone on offense who fills the void at forward quickly, and gives Reichel a chance elsewhere.
A restricted free agent at the end of this season, Reichel makes just $1.2M, and still has the ability to play a middle-six role for a team.
Reichel spoke to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times on the trade rumors, which he's heard, but has a focus on playing this season and earning a raise on his current contract.
I heard from guys in Germany that I didn't know knew hockey. They come up to me and say, «You're going to go to Edmonton.» I can't do anything about it.
It makes it even more motivating for me because you have one year and you just put everything into it. That's why you try stuff with the training.
It makes it even more motivating for me because you have one year and you just put everything into it. That's why you try stuff with the training.
Could The Toronto Maple Leafs Be A Potential Suitor For Lukas Reichel
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear need that could be filled in Lukas Reichel, and there's a potential sensible move that could work out.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could use a young left winger like Reichel, and have a veteran who could help the Blackhawks top-six in Max Domi.
Domi isn't a big name that Chicago ultimately wants, but is a hard working veteran who would add a much needed physical presence next to Bedard. Domi, at 5'10, would be a good mentor beside fellow 5'10 forward Bedard, and has experience in Chicago, having played there in the 2022-23 season.
Reichel for Domi could be a move that gets things done, and adds some youth on the bottom-six, while clearing Domi's $3.75M contract to make space for other high-priced options eventually.
Domi is a player who Leafs head coach Craig Berube has pointed to Domi as someone who could challenge for a spot on the Leafs first line next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, making a deal not something Toronto might be pushing to do, but could be beneficial with the right pieces in place.
Whatever a deal looks like, it could be one that favors both the Leafs and Blackhawks, and give Lukas Reichel the right environment to prove himself as the potential quality winger he can be in the NHL.
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