The Blackhawks are making some lineup changes for their home opener on Thursday night. Luke Reichel will make his season debut at center on the fourth line in between Pat Maroon And Craig Smith. And Nolan Allan will be in the lineup for Alec Martinezwho is struggling with a lower body problem.

First, Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said on the blue line that Martinez would be further evaluated by the team’s doctors later today and that they would receive more information then. Allan played in Utah’s season opener. Based on morning skating, Wyatt Kaiser will skate with TJ Brodie and Allan will be there Connor Murphy.

Reichel returns

Reichel spoke to the media after the Blackhawks’ morning skate. He admitted he was bummed about not being able to get into the lineup yet, but he understands the opportunity presented to him tonight. He needs to make a good impression and play with the same “selfish” style of play he showed in the preseason finale in Milwaukee (he used the word “selfish” that I used before the season). last year to his piece).

Richardson said that Reichel’s move into the lineup as a fourth-line center is simply a matter of the opportunity presented to him at this point, and not that center is something they truly believe will be a long-term commitment could. Richardson noted that Reichel had more success on the wing at the NHL level.

The Blackhawks head coach also said that San Jose’s style of play is more up and down and this would be a good opportunity for Reichel to get a draw.