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Blackhawks fans are pissed that Vancouver Canucks acquired Lukas Reichel for cheap

Trevor Beggs
Trevor Beggs
|
Oct 25 2025, 12:11 am
Blackhawks fans are pissed that Vancouver Canucks acquired Lukas Reichel for cheap
Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images

May the rivalry never die.

Okay, it’s been a long time since the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks were both relevant at the same time. But, at least for one day, Blackhawks fans are pissed off about something the Vancouver Canucks did.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin acquired Lukas Reichel from Chicago in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick on Friday. It was a low-cost acquisition that gives Vancouver a 23-year-old player with upside. They also needed more available forwards in the wake of multiple injuries.

So, did the Canucks win the trade?

According to Blackhawks fans, the answer is obvious.

Many fans were calling out Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, who orchestrated the deal.

Specifically, fans weren’t thrilled about the return of a mid-round pick in 2027.

Chicago has had a top-three pick in four of the last seven drafts, and fans in the Windy City believe more of the same is in store for their team in 2026.

Reichel himself was a former first-round pick, with the Blackhawks taking him 17th overall in the 2020 draft.

That had fans confused about giving away a former first-rounder for a fourth.

 

 

According to reports, Reichel has been on the trade block for months. Allvin mentioned to the media on Friday that the Canucks had conversations with Chicago about the young forward dating back to training camp.

Reichel’s ice time plummeted in Chicago in each of the last four seasons. He averaged 16:22 per night back in 2022-23, however, his ice time dropped to just 9:52 per night through five games this season.

Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, here were Reichel’s most common linemates with the Blackhawks, according to Natural Stat Trick.

  1. Patrick Maroon
  2. Craig Smith
  3. Connor Bedard
  4. Mackenzie Entwistle
  5. Andreas Athanasiou

Aside from Bedard, none of these other players are even in the NHL this year.

Perhaps saddling a young player with other fringe players isn’t a recipe for success?

There’s a reason why Reichel was on the block in Chicago. He hadn’t been able to convert his speed and puck-carrying ability into sustainable offence.

Mediocre linemates were part of the issue, but it’s also worth noting that Reichel’s ice time dropped under three different Blackhawks coaches.

Still, this was a player who registered seven goals and 15 points in 23 games as a 20-year-old, good for a 24-goal, 53-point pace over a full 82 games.

There’s no guarantee he reaches that potential with the Canucks, even if some Blackhawks fans believe that he will.

Reichel got off to a good start offensively this season in Chicago, registering two goals and four points in his first five games. His four points currently has him tied for third on the Canucks in scoring, behind only Quinn Hughes and Conor Garland.

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