The Chicago Blackhawks had a few players selected to play in the IIHF World Championships this offseason, and it has been extremely beneficial for the guys in the tournament. Frank Nazar had a big game on Sunday for Team USA, as he scored two first period goals and picked up an assist in their 6-0 victory over Hungary. The young forward collected Player of the Game honors for his play as he continues to pick up steam in a very important offseason for his development.
Alex Vlasic is on Team USA alongside Nazar, as the 23-year-old blue liner is looking to take big strides ahead of the fall as well. He is currently the top left-shot defenseman on the Blackhawks’ roster, and many people are hoping that he can take on a leadership role as he enters his third full season in the NHL.
Just like he did in the Four Nations Faceoff, Teuvo Teravainen is representing Finland at the IIHF World Championships. The veteran finished second on the Blackhawks in assists this past season in his return to the organization after spending the past eight seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The last Blackhawk to note that appeared in this tournament was off to a strong start, but an injury has ended his time with Team Germany this year.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Lukas Reichel is done at the IIHF tournament
Reichel will miss the rest of the IIHF World Championships this year due to injury. He logged just 8:07 of ice time against Norway on Tuesday, and this appears to be why. Reichel had a goal and four total points in three games prior to getting hurt. The 22-year-old was the Blackhawks’ first round draft choice in 2020 and has spent most of the last two seasons at the NHL level.
Reichel played in 70 games this past season and scored eight goals. He added 14 assists to give him 22 total points in the most games he has played in a single-season in his career so far. The winger played in 65 games during the 2023-24 season and had a brief stint in the AHL. Reichel scored five goals and picked up 11 assists in that campaign where many were expecting him to breakout.
Lukas Reichel is running out of chances with the Chicago Blackhawks
There was a widespread belief that Reichel’s last real shot wit the Blackhawks was in this most recent season. He spent most of the year on the fourth line with veterans Craig Smith and Pat Maroon before Smith was dealt to the Red Wings at the deadline. Reichel did not really fit the role that the Blackhawks’ coaching staff gave him, and there is a real possibility that he could be traded away this summer for a proper change of scenery. It will be tough to make the opening night roster as a bottom-six forward in the fall, and Reichel might not have what it takes to stick around for the next stage of this rebuild.
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