Blackhawks Lukas Reichel's Announcement on Slotting into the lineup tonight

The debut will take place for the Blackhawks season opener, against the team who won the draft lottery and selected Macklin Celebrini 1st overall in 2024.

Fortunately for the Blackhawks, he will be out of the lineup tonight, as the Sharks have one less weapon in the lineup.

However, Reichel will slot in on the fourth line for the Blackhawks, with Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.

Kind of an odd couple, in our opinion as Reichel has been known as more of an offensive player.

But he was asked before the game today about what kind of wisdom Head Coach Luke Richardson imparted to him.

This isn't bad advice, as Reichel needs to be more productive with the puck, and placing him on a line with forecheckers like Maroon and Smith could end up being a boon for Richardson, should Reichel develop confidence and produce as a depth forward.

Last season Reichel only played 65 games for the Blackhawks and a good game for him, could give him a spring into the regular lineup, if he can be as useful as Ryan Donato has been in the same role.

Reichel sounds determined to take the reins and be what the Blackhawks need him to be.

But of course, words without actions are meaningless, and we need him to produce when it counts: tonight.

The Blackhawks need to take advantage of a San Jose Sharks team who are missing Logan Couture and Macklin Celebrini and shut them down.

They'll need to shut down William Smith, William Eklund, Fabian Zetterlund, and Tyler Toffoli if they're to stand a chance.

Reichel has a challenge tonight, shoot first, ask questions later.