Chicago Blackhawks Send Top Prospect Down to AHL

The Chicago Blackhawks are taking the patience route with top prospect Lukas Reichel, as he has been sent back down to the Rockford IceHogs.

After Chicago decimated their forward depth this offseason, it seemed that Reichel was destined to start the season in the NHL. After all, the 20-year-old just had an excellent 57-point campaign in 56 games with the IceHogs this season. Yet, the Blackhawks have decided to have him spend a little more time in the AHL before making the permanent job to the sport's most competitive league.

According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Blackhawks primarily did this because there currently isn't a fit for Reichel in their top six. Another year in the AHL isn't the end of the world, though, so let's see what the 2020 first-round pick can do from here.