When the Bruins called up Lukas Reichel on Wednesday afternoon, they announced the move as being "on an emergency basis." Teams often term call-ups that way this time of year because they are only allowed four regular, non-emergency recalls after the trade deadline.
Boston's only real emergency, however, seemed to be that its forward group desperately needed an infusion of energy as the offense slowed to a grind after the Olympic break. Third-line left wing, in particular, had become a revolving door, with neither Mikey Eyssimont nor Alex Steeves able to lock down the job on a full-time basis.
The name that every Bruins fan has been looking at as a potential solution is James Hagens, but the 2025 seventh overall pick remains unavailable until Boston College's season ends. That could be as early as this weekend if the Eagles lose in the Hockey East tournament, or it could be another week or more if BC wins Hockey East and moves on to NCAAs.
Enter Reichel, a first-round pick himself back in 2020. The Bruins acquired the 23-year-old winger at the trade deadline from the Vancouver Canucks for a sixth-round pick, his stock having fallen off as he changed organizations for the second time this season.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has had some success in recent years identifying players who have more potential than they've shown elsewhere, with Morgan Geekie standing out as the best example. The hope is that Reichel can be the next reclamation success story.
After three dominant performances for AHL Providence (5 points, +6 rating), the Bruins decided Reichel was ready for his first look in Boston. He made a good first impression Thursday night, recording a goal and an assist in the Bruins' 6-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Reichel's goal, the Bruins' second of the game, was a case of right place, right time. Jets goalie and Olympic hero Connor Hellebuyck misplayed a dump-in, resulting in a fortuitous bounce right to Reichel, who fired it into the empty net before Hellebuyck could get back in position.
The assist came on the Bruins' sixth and final goal of the night, with Reichel swooping in to free up a puck along the boards. It bounced to Geekie, who then set up Jonathan Aspirot for the finish.
Reichel was in that open third-line left wing spot, on a line with Geekie and Elias Lindholm, both of whom had been struggling mightily since the Olympics. Geekie's assist on Aspirot's goal was his first 5-on-5 point in 12 games. Lindholm still doesn't have one in that time.
Reichel knew exactly what was expected of him, noting after Thursday's morning skate that he was there to bring energy and speed. He did that Thursday night. That line finally had life for the first time in weeks, as they were able to make some plays in transition and create some chances.
Geekie and Lindholm deserve some credit for increasing their own energy levels, but it's also not a coincidence that improvement came in the game that Reichel brought some noticeable jump. Sturm identified Reichel's speed and skill as the driver on that line.
"They had a few good rushes just because of it," Sturm said. "They had some good breakouts just because of it. They scored a couple goals. There was a few probably turnovers, and a few times they ended up in our zone a little bit longer than we wanted. But offensively, he drives them. I think that was the goal, bringing this guy in today, to drive Elias and Geeks. He can push them a little bit more forward."
The key for Reichel now will be consistency. He has flashed in the NHL before, but hasn't been able to sustain it over any prolonged stretches. In the immediate future, the Bruins will hope he can continue to be an upgrade over Eyssimont and Steeves, at least until the seemingly inevitable arrival of Hagens. In the longer term, they'll hope that Reichel can find that consistency and finally become the top-nine fixture he only hinted at becoming in Chicago and Vancouver.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but Reichel at least got off on the right foot Thursday night and delivered a performance and a moment worth celebrating.