Nyorai mberi kweiyi ndima - Reichel neFlames vakagadzirisa kusawirirana kwavo pamberi pemwaka weNHL wa1996-97 uye vakabvuma chibvumirano chemakore matatu, US $ 4.4 mamirioni. Akatambura achirwisa pakudzoka kwake kuCalgary, Reichel aingova nezvibodzwa gumi nezvitanhatu nemapoinzi makumi mana nematatu kuburikidza nemitambo makumi manomwe neCalgary, uye nekudaro akazova nyaya yerunyerekupe rwekutengeserana. The Flames yakamutumira kuNew York Islanders musi waMarch 18, 1997, mukutsinhana naMarty McInnis, Tyrone Garner uye sarudzo yechitanhatu mumutambo we 1997 NHL Entry Draft
. Mumitambo gumi nemaviri neIslanders kupedzisa mwaka, Reichel akarekodha mapoinzi gumi nemapfumbamwe uye akapedza gore aine makumi mashanu neshanu akabatanidzwa pakati pezvikwata zviviri.