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The Blackhawks sent Lucas Reichel back to Rockford on Friday, but let’s just say some of the fanbase weren’t thrilled with the move. , looked like another player.
Ahead of Saturday’s game against Seattle, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson explained the organization’s decision to reassign Rachel after praising the 20-year-old prospect and his steps in his development.
“He was fantastic and it’s a testament to the hard work he put in and a testament to our coaches working with him,” Davidson said. He did everything we asked him to do and worked really hard in the areas we wanted him to work on.
“Going forward, I think it’s worth it for him to play center. To be a go-to player and the leader of a team that plays meaningful hockey to the end. It’s not that I can’t get it.” Here, I think it’s worth it and there will be injuries, so I’m not going to keep it from him.
“Rockford, like Lucas and the rest of the players, are taking very positive steps in their development and we would like to see them touched by the NHL, and we want to reward that. But that’s all.The experience of being a go-to player on a good team in a good league.The AHL is the second best league in hockey and a key role in that team to a leadership role. We can put our future players in. That league is very valuable and that’s what we really want to move forward.”
At this point, I can definitely say that Rachel is one of the better options for the Blackhawks. I don’t think anyone would argue that. You could even say he deserves a longer look, if not in a permanent location. I tend to agree.
The Blackhawks, above all, experience better conditions in the AHL with the Ice Hogs, where Rachel plays meaningful hockey, is legitimately one of the best teams, and could be a big hit in the Calder Cup playoffs. I hope that
“Let’s call a spade a spade. We’re chasing most games here,” Davidson says. “And I don’t think it will necessarily lead to a very positive development. Rockford have a great situation where young players have to come out and defend their lead and defend their close game, and they’re playing. You get the chance to score and come back from the tights, a game against other really good teams.
From day one, the Blackhawks have said they’re going to be patient about their prospects given they’ve rushed too many players into the NHL over the past few years. It means to utilize and work practically.
The Blackhawks don’t seem too worried about Reichel’s confidence and whether his ups and downs could affect him in the bigger picture.
“It’s always a consideration,” says Davidson. “That’s why we make sure they understand the big picture, we have a roadmap, it’s been there since the beginning of the year, and we make sure they understand when we make decisions.
“As I’ve talked to players in the past, it’s not their job to see the big picture, it’s for them to understand why you’re doing things and why you think it’s best in the long run. And that’s what we’ve done to not only Lucas, but many of the prospects they have knocking on their door.
“Can some of them play in the NHL? They probably can. I think it’s something we really, really care about.
“And their exposure to our coaches every day, in the development of hockey, if they’re juniors, Europeans, or colleges, if they have their own coaches and they can only see them. The AHL is the only time in development leading up to the NHL that we have hands-on development opportunities every day, and we’re trying to capitalize on that.”
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