From Elite Prospects ....

He's an unrelenting forechecker & backchecker, never gives up on a play, and wins battles through second efforts. Reichel is a pretty capable puck-handler too, even at top-speed carrying the puck through a defender's triangle, showing a predilection for outside-in maneuvers, and deploying weight shifts to avoid contact.
- boilermaker100

Quite a few young guys in the organization with this skill set (Entwistle ) et.al.

Hawks have done well with their Euro scouting. I’m pulling for the kid to make the show sooner than later. Sounds like a guy that will get love from the 300 level.

Agreed, lets give this pick a couple years before we start judging. I was surprised, but I’m liking this pick more and more.
- DarthKane

Agree we won't know for three years or longer how Reichel, Lapierre or Mercer develop as pros. No use being concerned about it now.

No. Stan gets really excited to have skill players. He probably thought, but Dach is very skilled too

I want to hear him say that they shied away from LaPierre. I am curious why not Mercer. Maybe they just so enamorated over Reichel

What is your take
- jhawk59

Check some of his tape (yes, I know it is a highlight reel). The first minute or so is just a few shootout goals. Goes to the middle, can make plays, good shot, goes to the net, skates well, can play the boards, wins 50/50 pucks, smart.

What were we all complaining about this team not having enough of?

And at this point, Dach is comparable to the first two players picked last year.
- Chunk

For sure. He accomplished about as much as they did. Their upsides may be supposedly higher but so was Erik Johnson and Jordan Staal when they were picked ahead of Toews.

Go Mooseheads...

Hey Duff. I admire the never-ending support for Askarov. Good on ya for never wavering.

The good news for him is that he doesn't have to answer to any of us. Just a GM, some coaches and his teammates.
- Chunk

Thanks . I now fear the Keeper will be a part of Hawks history and not in a good way . More I look at the pick and listen to my nephew and wiz this may be a sneaky good pick. German players have been coming over and playing some very good hockey .

Hmm Josh Anderson traded for Max Domi. How does this help each team? I'm not seeing any other compensation.
- Chunk

The TV talking heads liked the deal. Domi was forced to wing in MTL, hell move to 2C & MTL looking to get bigger adds a power forward.

Both teams trading from strength to address weakness.

Me, various scouting reports, me again.
- Revco38

Must be true then

No need to wait for time....lots of experts here already know.
#StanBlowman
- Ogilthorpe2

Including you? You're the second biggest know it all to that Enzo guy

Are you on the Hawks payroll?
- GlennL

Maybe he's not a reactionary wienerhead like most of the wannabes on this site?

Go Mooseheads...
- Chief4Feathers

Great beer.

No, why do you ask?
- Chunk

Because you’re not on the ledge over a draft pick like all the internet “experts”.

I wasn't aware. On the NHl draft page, it says Stutzle played for Mannheim and Reichel played for Berlin.
- Chunk

the clip they showed from the german league showed them on the same team. i don't think the wjc allows that many ads on their unis. could have been. i just saw the name.

Thanks . I now fear the Keeper will be a part of Hawks history and not in a good way . More I look at the pick and listen to my nephew and wiz this may be a sneaky good pick. German players have been coming over and playing some very good hockey .
- oldduffman

As has been said we will have to wait to see how the various players pan out. My immediate thought was. Mercer was closer to the top tier and Reichel was much lower. Perhaps there was not a big difference after #12. I thought a couple players were steals where they were taken and maybe Mercer is one of those. I am just going to wait on the prospects. But also wiz will probably comment more once the draft days dust has settled. I put a lot of faith into his observations.

Meanwhile Washington freaked out and said, we will not let Lapierre get snagged just in front of our pick.

The TV talking heads liked the deal. Domi was forced to wing in MTL, hell move to 2C & MTL looking to get bigger adds a power forward.

Both teams trading from strength to address weakness.
- scottak

Yeah, I forgot that Domi apparently plays better as a C. I just thought that was a lot to give up for Anderson. I thought it was more of a 1:1.

Is Wennberg done in Cbus? Getting bought out?

Maybe he's not a reactionary wienerhead like most of the wannabes on this site?
- GPHawksfan

You’re funny.

Shoulda known! Blowman and his love of Eurosmurfs and his love of picking players he and his staff know full well are not as good as players still on the board.

I'll have a blog out in the morning with a full analysis of the Hawks pick.

Generally, I'm fine with Reichel as the pick albeit bummed knowing there were other prospects still on the board who I liked better as best player available. Admitedly, though, I was frustrated at first but have had time to think more logically by reading his profiles again.

Honestly, the Hawks really could have done a lot worse. And I will say Reichel wasn't a bad pick by any means, just not where I expected him to be picked, i.e. would have been stoked if he was still available at the Hawks next pick in the 2nd round.

I'll have a blog out in the morning with a full analysis of the Hawks pick.

Generally, I'm fine with Reichel as the pick albeit bummed knowing there were other prospects still on the board who I liked better as best player available. Admitedly, though, I was frustrated at first but have had time to think more logically by reading his profiles again.

Honestly, the Hawks really could have done a lot worse. And I will say Reichel wasn't a bad pick by any means, just not where I expected him to be picked, i.e. would have been stoked if he was still available at the Hawks next pick in the 2nd round.
- Theo Fox

He has moved up a lot in recent days. some had him around 15-ish

Because you’re not on the ledge over a draft pick like all the internet “experts”.
- Ogilthorpe2

I didn't think I was being that controversial.

There are precious few 18-19-20 year olds that come in and make an impact on an NHL team. At 17, I'm willing to give the kid time to grow into his body a bit and build on his current credentials. Drafting a guy who is already a 200' player is a bonus to me.

You know how everybody was downing Alex Nylander for not being able to cross over on his skates...this kid certainly can...
- wiz1901

Wiz, does Reichel remind you of TT, Teavo Teravainen without the quick twitch explosion? Speedy, wide stance, giddy up jump to his fluid effortless stride, very high cruising speed, slinky torso all shoulders & elbows, slashing/darting, perpetual motion, like a wrestler 2-3 rapid super quick stick moves to strip from behind, very high processing speed which gets the puck off his stick in a nano second whether it's a shot or pass, excellent closing speed.

He remind you of TT?

He has moved up a lot in recent days. some had him around 15-ish
- Elbows15

Yeah, that's what is making Reichel at 17th more palatable than say back in the spring or early summer.

Quite a few young guys in the organization with this skill set (Entwistle ) et.al.

Hawks have done well with their Euro scouting. I’m pulling for the kid to make the show sooner than later. Sounds like a guy that will get love from the 300 level.
- scottak

would it be something if Reichel became the closest incarnation of Hossa. Wonder if Wiz might say that Reichel discipline suggests we could think thus could happen. Check back later he is still only what 17 turning 18 yr old kid? By the time he gets to NHL he will likely be heavier and stronger

I didn't think I was being that controversial.

There are precious few 18-19-20 year olds that come in and make an impact on an NHL team. At 17, I'm willing to give the kid time to grow into his body a bit and build on his current credentials. Drafting a guy who is already a 200' player is a bonus to me.
- Chunk

Exactly. One of the reasons why I don't mind the pick and can actually get behind it when thinking more logically.

And actually not just a bonus but one of the primary reasons why he may end up being a good pick at 17th.

I'll have a blog out in the morning with a full analysis of the Hawks pick.

Generally, I'm fine with Reichel as the pick albeit bummed knowing there were other prospects still on the board who I liked better as best player available. Admitedly, though, I was frustrated at first but have had time to think more logically by reading his profiles again.

Honestly, the Hawks really could have done a lot worse. And I will say Reichel wasn't a bad pick by any means, just not where I expected him to be picked, i.e. would have been stoked if he was still available at the Hawks next pick in the 2nd round.
- Theo Fox

Look back 20&21 don’t think they were suppose to get picked in the top 2/3 rounds