5 reasons to continue watching the Chicago Blackhawks right now

1. Lukas Reichel getting ice time.

The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of faith in Lucas Reichel to be a great player.

The Chicago Blackhawks made the right decision by calling up Reichel from Rockford for the rest of the season. The former first-round pick was tearing up the AHL. He is the only elite prospect the Blackhawks have in their system.

He has shown in his brief appearances that he already belongs in the NHL. He got his first point in his tenth game with an assist against the Nashville Predators.

Hopefully, he can get that elusive first goal soon. He almost had a few against the LA Kings and registered his best game.

Reichel has the talent and skill to be a future superstar for the Chicago Blackhawks. He just needs to add some weight to his six-foot frame. When Reichel adds the needed ten pounds, he could be producing results that will get him paid once he reaches restricted free agency.

It makes sense for the Chicago Blackhawks to start the clock on his entry-level deal. The experience on NHL ice will be valuable. In a lost season, the Hawks need to get a good evaluation on Reichel in these final games to see if he should start 2022-2023 in the AHL or the NHL.

If Reichel reaches his potential, the Chicago Blackhawks are going to have to pay him so what difference does it make if it comes a year earlier. It looks like Reichel’s agent will want to get him an extension sooner rather than later so he can get to a third contract quicker.

The Hawks have been a lot smarter with Reichel’s development than they were with Kirby Dach. He has gotten plenty of ice time in Rockford. Dach only played three games for the IceHogs and he was rushed up to the Blackhawks.

Reichel has shown that he can play well in the AHL. It is time to start getting him more NHL experience. Once the season ends, it would be wise to send him back to the IceHogs. He can still help the IceHogs in the Calder Cup playoffs and continue to get valuable ice-time.