Prior to his NHL debut in 2019, it was a foregone conclusion that the Blackhawks pretty much had Kirby Dach pegged for their starting lineup a few months after drafting him 3rd overall. Later that summer, though, Dach suffered a concussion in the Traverse City prospect tourney which derailed his timeline.
The head injury incapacitated Dach enough where he wasn't ready for his first NHL training camp. Despite the setback, Dach only spent 3 games in the AHL on what was deemed a conditioning stint rather than a standard indefinite period of development that most prospects go through to start their pro careers.
Lukas Reichel has also had head injuries early in his career, particularly a concussion this season with the IceHogs. Prior to coming to North America, Reichel had a pair of seasons playing pro in the German elite league so he already had experience playing with and against grown men as a lanky teenager.
A primary difference between Dach and Reichel's respective terms in the minor leagues was that Dach was a non-factor in his brief stint with Rockford (0 points in 3 games) while Reichel was easily one of the best players -- if not the best -- on the ice game in and game out for the Hogs and their opponents.
Not only has Reichel been a PPG player for the Hogs -- 11 goals and 9 assists in 20 games thus far -- but he also is a standout without the puck no matter what zone he's in. He's an impact player who is noticeable even if you're not keying in on him. Dach as a Hog was inconsequential and fairly forgettable.
Dach's rookie season had a slow but gradual ramp up as skill was apparent in spurts but he rarely if ever dominated a game in the pros. His first year was cut short by the initial outburst of the pandemic then he had a promising 2020 postseason campaign in the Edmonton bubble. Ever since then, his play has been uninspiring.
While Reichel is now back in Rockford after his first cup of coffee where he was without a point in 2 games, he still put on display his speed, agility, hockey sense, intelligence, and balanced play in all zones. However, who knows if Reichel will struggle over a larger swath of games in the NHL like Dach has.
Three factors, though, that may prove otherwise for Reichel are: (1) his pro experience in Germany, (2) his stellar play in the minor leagues as an elite talent at that level, and (3) his development plan where Blackhawks management is willing to be patient so he overripens and be truly ready for the NHL.
All of this isn't to say that Dach is now a bust. He's still only 20 years old and has a long NHL career ahead of him. What makes his pro maturation an uphill climb compared to Reichel's is he will need to figure things out on the big stage rather than getting plenty of rehearsal time in the minors.
Management doesn't seem to want to send Dach down to Rockford to work on various aspects of his game, regain his confidence, and learn the finer areas of competing in the pros. At least management isn't going to make that same mistake with not just Reichel but hopefully all other prospects in the system.
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Next Game @ Kraken
Coach Hakstol talks practice, lineup, updates & more following today's practice at @ClimateArena.
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) January 16, 2022
Watch his full media avail → https://t.co/yfF4As3m6z pic.twitter.com/6fVy7C6amE
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Roster Updates
Jake McCabe has been cleared from COVID-19 protocol and the #Blackhawks have re-assigned Lukas Reichel and Ian Mitchell to Rockford.
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) January 16, 2022
Mike Hardman and Cale Morris called up to join the taxi squad for team’s trip to Seattle. https://t.co/NnySvp550Q
Newly entered into protocol: * Brett Connolly, Winger
Still in protocol: * Kirby Dach, Center * Dylan Strome, Center * Seth Jones, Defenseman * Mike Gapski, Head Athletic Trainer * Troy Parchman, Head Equipment Manager
Out of protocol: * Jake McCabe, Defenseman
CHI-RFD Shuttle
Back to Chicago: * Mike Hardman, Winger * Josiah Slavin, Winger * Cale Morris, Goalie
Back to Rockford: * Lukas Reichel, Center * Ian Mitchell, Defenseman
Projected Lineup
With Jake McCabe out of COVID protocol and Reichel back in Rockford, here's a possible lineup for today's matinee matchup with the expansion Kraken:
Hagel - Borgstrom - Kane DeBrincat - Toews - Kubalik Entwistle - Lafferty - Kurashev Khaira - Carpenter - Slavin
de Haan - Murphy McCabe - Galvas Stillman - Gustafsson
Fleury Lankinen
Reserve: C Jones Taxi Squad: Hardman, Morris
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IceHogs Updates
Hogs on the Move: FW Lukas Reichel and D Ian Mitchell return to the @goicehogs. FW Mike Hardman and G Cale Morris join the #Blackhawks https://t.co/o27KRojOU4 pic.twitter.com/EtsDxAgl4L
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 17, 2022
With the musical chairs occurring between Chicago and Rockford, here's a possible lineup for today's IceHogs game versus the interstate rival Wolves:
Altybarmakian - Reichel - Teply Howarth - McLaughlin - Busdeker Morrison - Barratt - Gicewicz Pour - G Mitchell - Osipov
Kalynuk - I Mitchell Phillips - Regula Stanton - Beaudin
Soderblom Delia
Notes
* There's no news on why Brandon Pirri hasn't dressed for the Hogs in the previous few games.
* Chad Yetman and Riley McKay are forward reserves, Jacob LeGuerrier and Cliff Watson are blueline reserves, and Tom Aubrun is the 3rd string goalie.
* Kurtis Gabriel is still in COVID protocol.
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See you on the boards!