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The Chicago Blackhawks are trading away a 23-year-old former first-round pick: Per NHL insider
Photo credit: NHL.com
In the midst of a rebuild, Chicago Blackhawks general manager is set to part ways with a former first round pick and are now taking trade calls on him.
The Blackhawks are currently figuring out their equation of who to build around, and one forward is now set to be traded as he's not fitting the structure that the organization is looking for.
After countless of opportunities, and receiving a punishment due to missing a team meeting last season, Kyle Davidson has had enough of Lukas Reichel.
«Teams have been calling about Reichel and the Blackhawks have been listening. He's going into the final year of his current contract and will remain controllable after this season. Chicago is looking to package assets for immediate upgrades, so we'll see if Reichel is part of that,» Pagnotta wrote.
Reichel was the Blackhawks 17th overall selection in the 2020 NHL draft, and now at 23 years of age, a change of scenery is needed for both sides.
He currently has one year left on a two-year, $2.4 million deal and is coming off a career high season of 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.
Lukas Reichel hinted at requesting a trade from the Blackhawks last season
Reichel was frustrated of his treatment from former head coach Anders Sorensen last season, and addressed to the media his true feelings on playing fourth line.
«I didn't get many minutes, I was fourth line most of the year,» Reichel said in his end-of-year media scrum. «So, it's different, it's harder to produce and score. I try to stay positive and make the little things right. Just battle hard and grind. I'm happy about that with how I played.»
Despite the forward being on the verge of being traded, he remains optimistic that he can earn a top-six role in an NHL lineup next season.
«Camp is going to be huge for me and in the season, too. Guys are going to go up and down the line in the season. Yeah, there is always hope that I will get the opportunity (to be in the top-six),» Reichel said.
Despite a disappointing Blackhawks free agency, we're expected to see some action with trades taking place soon and it appears that Reichel will be the first one to get the boot.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 413 ANSWERS The Chicago Blackhawks are trading away a 23-year-old former first-round pick: Per NHL insider What do you think the Chicago Blackhawks will receive in return for this former 1st round pick? | ||
| A low end draft pick | 97 | 23.5 % |
| A current NHL roster player | 182 | 44.1 % |
| Future considerations | 118 | 28.6 % |
| Other | 16 | 3.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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