Vancouver, BC - The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. The deal, announced Friday afternoon by Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin, brings the 23-year-old former first-round pick to Vancouver in what many are calling a "change of scenery" trade.
Reichel was drafted 17th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 174 career NHL games, all with Chicago, he has recorded 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) and 32 penalty minutes. This season, Reichel has appeared in five games for the Blackhawks, tallying four points (two goals, two assists). Prior to the trade, he had been a healthy scratch on three occasions.
"Lukas is a player we've tracked for a long time, and his skill set is undeniable," said Allvin in a statement. "He's a young player with high hockey IQ and speed who just needs the right opportunity to find his confidence and develop into a consistent NHL player." Allvin also noted Reichel's playmaking ability and work ethic, expressing confidence that the Canucks' coaching staff can help him improve.
The acquisition addresses the Canucks' need for forward depth amidst a rash of injuries. Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger, Nils Hoglander, and Jonathan Lekkerimaki are currently sidelined. In a corresponding move, the Canucks placed Teddy Blueger on injured reserve, retroactive to the previous Sunday.
Prior to the trade, there were reports that Reichel had requested a trade from the Blackhawks in search of a better fit. It had been speculated since the end of last season that the Blackhawks were looking to move Reichel. While he has demonstrated offensive potential in the AHL, with 116 points (42 goals, 74 assists) in 121 games for the Rockford IceHogs and an AHL All-Star Game selection in 2023, he has yet to consistently translate that success to the NHL level.
Reichel is in the final year of a two-year, $2.4 million contract, carrying a $1.2 million cap hit. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
Notably, the fourth-round pick heading to Chicago originally belonged to the Blackhawks and was previously acquired by Vancouver on June 26, 2024. Reichel has represented Germany in international competitions, including the World Junior Hockey Championships and the World Championships. He was also named to Germany's preliminary Olympic roster in June.
