Young Blackhawks forward told he's being traded to the Edmonton Oilers

The young Chicago Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel recently broke his silence on the trade rumors linking him to the Edmonton Oilers.

The 23-year-old German winger didn't mince words in a candid interview, revealing he once believed a move was inevitable this past summer.

This offseason, General Manager Kyle Davidson didn't make many acquisitions, focusing on extending the Hawks' young players long term.

After watching his team extend Frank Nazar's contract and drafting another top center in Anton Frondell this summer, Lukas Reichel's future in Chicago is in the air.

In an interview posted online a few weeks ago, Reichel admitted he believed he was going to get traded to Edmonton:

Despite the uncertainty, the forward sees it as fuel for motivation:

Since joining the Hawks in 2021, Reichel has struggled to find consistency in the NHL. With Nazar secured long-term, top prospect Connor Bedard expected to sign soon, and third overall pick Anton Frondell set to join next year, roster space is tight.

Given the league-wide demand for centers, moving Reichel could be a solution, but for now, he's focused on proving his value.

In 70 games last year, Reichel tallied 22 points, including eight goals. With more confidence and experience, the player is in a position to cause a surprise next season. If he does, it'll be interesting to see if Davidson decides to trade him while his value is up or sign him to a contract extension.