The Chicago Blackhawks won 4-2 in a dominating fashion over the San Jose Sharks Thursday night.

One of those players who got a shot in the lineup over center Ryan Donato, was Lukas Reichel a former 1st round pick in 2020, 17th overall.

The Blackhawks have given him a short leash. Last night, he slotted in on the 4th Line instead of Donato.

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How did he do?

 

«He’s got to show and play a certain way. He needs to have the habit that, if it’s in practice, he shows he deserves to be in the lineup, and if he’s in the lineup, he plays a certain way that we expect [so] that he’ll hold a spot. It’s in his hands.»

– Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson

While Richardson and Davidson want to see him improve his playing habits, Richardson tells him to be selfish and shoot more.

Davidson wants Reichel to play a “certain way” meaning he needs to build the right habits on ice to show he deserves to slot in on a rebuilding club. To help push the Blackhawks forward competitively.

If you take a look at the team’s box score from last night, you can see how Reichel did.

Reichel would play 8:31 time on ice on the Blackhawk’s fourth line, with Pat Maroon and Craig Smith. He didn’t seem to have listened, however, as he took only one shot on goal, and was a -1, and 1 hit in 12 shifts last night. He would win 1 of 3 face-offs in the circle.

All-in-all, a not-so-exciting and unproductive night for Reichel, despite the encouragement from his coach and management.