2020 NHL Draft

Lukas Reichel

Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)

Steve Kournianos  |  03/04/2020 |  Nashville  |  [hupso]

Photo: Andreas Gora

Profile

Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height / Weight: 6’0, 170 lbs
Born: May 17th, 2002 | Nürnberg, Deutschland
Nation: Deutschland

The Draft Analyst Ranking:

PRE AUG DEC JAN MAR JUN
NR 142 49 34 25 —

Regular Season

Season Team/League GP G A PTS +/- PIM P/G
2019-20
 Germany (U20 WJC) 7 3 2 5 E 0 0.60
2019-20 Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) 40 12 12 24 -1 2 0.60

Scouting Report

A well-balanced and agile skater with excellent vision, a deadly shot, and playmaking skills, Reichel is a German Elite League regular who has performed well above expectations for the Berlin Polar Bears. He’s got breakaway speed and lateral quickness, and good things happen once he can get into open ice. Although Tim Stützle is getting all of the attention as far as draft eligibles from Germany, it’s important to identify Reichel’s production — 24 points in 40 games —  and also his 18.5 shooting percentage that is 10th in the league among players with 65 or more shots. Berlin also relies on him in shootouts.

Reichel has bounced between Berlin’s second and third line, plus a regular role on the second power play unit. He plays with a lot of energy and is always involved in possessions inside the offensive end. Whether it’s during the cycle, battling for slot positioning, or covering the points for his defensemen, Reichel contributes with or without the puck. His quick thinking and first step are two critical aspects to his overall game. Reichel wins a lot of 50/50 puck battles and his speed puts a lot of pressure on opposing blueliners, especially in the chip-and-chase game. He isn’t overly physical and rarely gets involved in post-whistle scrums, not does he look to deliver big hits. Still, Reichel maintains consistency regardless of the level of physicality or chippiness in a given match.

Being a smart and alert player seems to come naturally for Reichel, and the fact that his coach has used him in late/close situations supports that. Loose pucks find his stick with regularity, especially within proximity of board battles. He also wields an active stick and turns quickly which often forces opposing defenders in the grey zone to cough up pucks or make a rushed decision. Although he wasn’t a regular on the penalty kill, Reichel has the smarts, foot speed, and stamina to be groomed for checking scenarios. Once he has the puck, Reichel is consistent in locating the right targets and connecting with accuracy. He keeps his head up and will even look off the goal area and thread the needle to the backdoor or opposite circle.

Reichel is an excellent stickhandler in traffic and along the boards. He can absorb hard shoves or harassing stickwork during rapid directional changes or power moves around the net. He has complete control of his edges and balance, which is surprising considering he’s listed at only 170 pounds. Whether being leaned on inside or out, Reichel can be a tough out for the strongest of the DEL’s defenders.

The primary weapons in Reichel’s arsenal are his hands and his shot. He can release an accurate attempt off the pass via a short windup, but Reichel also has shown the ability to make rapid changes to the angle of his shot. Additionally, Reichel can blister shots high to the short side in addition to picking that far corner, this leaving goalies at a significant disadvantage. It’s perfectly fine to assume that Reichel would make short work of teenage goaltenders when you consider his success rate against elite-league veterans.