Washington Capitals Mock Draft: Lukas Reichel becomes new face of franchise
The Washington Capitals should draft Lukas Reichel.
The NHL Draft is set to take place a few days earlier than originally anticipated. It went from Oct. 9th to the 6th with the 9th being the first day of NHL Free Agency. The Washington Capitals have a busy offseason ahead of them and one player they should draft is Lukas Reichel to be their next gen face of the franchise.
The Draft Analyst says this about Reichel: “Another high profile scorer from Germany who earned his keep in the Deutschen Eishockey Liga, Reichel is a 200 foot winger with a nasty wrist shot and release whose 18.5 shooting percentage was 10th in the league among players with 65 or more shots.”
“Like Tim Stuzle, Reichel smoked it on the international stage and proved to be just as valuable and productive as his notable linemate. After focusing on defense at so many recent drafts, the Caps need to continue to build up their forwards ranks, and teaming Reichel up with a super scorer like 2019 first rounder Connor McMichael would be another step in the right direction.”
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Reichel began his hockey career with Starbulls Rosenheim of the U16 in 2015-16. That season he scored 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points. The next year he scored 35 goals and 37 assists for 72 points. The next year he scored 47 goals and 39 assists for 86 points in his final season on the U16 then moved up to the U19.
On the U19 he scored 13 goals and added 16 assists for 29 points. He then moved to the Eisbaren Juniors Berlin splitting time in the 2018-19 season between the U17 and U20 teams. On the U20 he scored 11 goals and added 31 assists for 42 points. While with Eisbaren Berlin’s varsity squad in 2019-20, Reichel scored 12 goals and added 12 assists for 24 points.
Dobber Prospects added this about Reichel: “An offensive winger with great hockey sense, very good skating ability, good skills, good effort level, and decent size. Top six upside. Not overly flashy but very efficient.”
Dayton Reimer of The Hockey Writers said, “Reichel gives the group a huge boost, bringing an up-tempo game that has very few flaws already at just the age of 17. He can be relied on to create plays, score goals, and even chip in defensively.”
Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet added, “Plays a very aware offensive game, knowing where his linemates are at all times. Possesses the skill to make plays to open space for himself, or create lanes to distribute.”
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Reichel and McMichael on a line together could make future Caps teams a threat in the NHL.