The Chicago Blackhawks need some of their young players to have big years.
2. Lukas Reichel needs to produce in his first full season.
Reichel became the forgotten top prospect the moment Bedard was drafted. Reichel has the skill to form an All-Star duo with Bedard. As mentioned before, Reichel will play center this season.
He bounced between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford Ice Hogs last season. He is slated to stay in Chicago this year.
Lukas playing up to his prospect hype is probably the second-most important development the Hawks need to return to Stanley Cup contention. He is a gifted goal-scorer with an excellent shot.
LUKAS REICHEL GETS THE HAWKS ON THE BOARD 🏒 pic.twitter.com/IxOIFxcOzE
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) October 8, 2023
He took feedback on what he needed to work on from the front office in the offseason. Hopefully, this leads to Reichel making an impact in his first full NHL season.
3. Kevin Korchinski gets to make a case to stay all season.
The Hawks top defensive prospect is available to play the first nine games of the season without burning a full contract year. The problem is that Korchinski is 19 so he is not eligible to be sent to the AHL to keep developing.
The Chicago Blackhawks either have to send him back to the WHL or keep him on the roster for the rest of the season.
Korchinski is sort of stuck as there is not much left to develop his game at the junior level but his body is probably not ready for the rigors of a full NHL season.
One thing is for certain, he has earned the right to start the season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kevin Korchinski played in five preseason games. In 84:40 of 5v5 ice time, he had an expected goals percentage of 54.55 and an actual goals percentage of 62.5. For those reasons and many others, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t start the season in the NHL.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 8, 2023