How Reichel Slots Into Lineup Next Season

Lukas Reichel is back for another stint in the NHL as he's continued to impress with Rockford in the AHL, but regardless of how his time to close out the season ends, it will beg the question how he will slot into the lineup next season, assuming he makes the team out of training camp.

The first thing to keep in mind is Dylan Strome's tenure with the club. He had been pretty heavily involved in trade rumors early in 2021-22, combined with what seems to be an inability to gain coaches trust, and it's no sure bet he'll be back next season.

If Strome continues playing in Chicago in 2022-23, Reichel would likely see time as the third-line center or perhaps on the wing. If he did slot in as a third-line center for his first full NHL season, it would suddenly put Kirby Dach's future as a center in question.

If Strome moves on, however, could Reichel get a look between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane? The more likely option is Jonathan Toews centering Kane and DeBrincat, and then a some second-line combination of Dach, Reichel and a player like Philipp Kurashev, Dominik Kubalik or Taylor Raddysh.