Jett Luchanko was drafted by the Flyers in the 2024 NHL Draft in June, and while Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Luchanko getting that trial run on Sunday, he was careful to note that the possibility is more unlikely than likely. Flyers fans, who hope to see their team play in nine games and make his NHL debut at the start of the 2024–25 season, have some hope, though not much.
You can discuss it at any time. That’s clearly up to (John Tortorella) and (Luchanko’s) performance, in my opinion,” Flahr remarked on Sunday afternoon. Although it’s a long shot, I suppose it’s feasible. I mean, I wouldn’t refuse. “The player at 22, 23, and 18 is more of a concern to us than the player at 18. His goal is to join the team. It’s fantastic that he thinks that way. I won’t tell him anything different, for sure. Luchanko assumed the role of the Flyers’ top center prospect as soon as he was picked by them, assuming that position had ever existed. Luchanko has shown off his mobility, playmaking instincts, and defensive details in just two Rookie Series games against the young New York Rangers.
On Saturday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the London, Ontario, native’s ability to win pucks along the boards proved to be the deciding factor. He was able to dish a puck back to defenseman Emil Andrae, who waited out the entire building before setting up Samu Tuomaala for the overtime winner over the Rangers. That performance was only a small sample of what the Flyers are expecting Luchanko to accomplish on a nightly basis in the NHL.
It was also important to note that Luchanko and linemate Elliot Desnoyers, who had Matvei Michkov with them on Friday, were far less effective offensively when AHL forward Matt Miller joined them on Saturday. That’s not to say that Miller isn’t a useful bottom-six player in the correct circumstances.
Luchanko, who recorded an assist in every Rookie Series game, obviously needs to play with guys who are offensively minded in order to fully develop his skills on the other end of the rink. With the Guelph Storm in the OHL, will he get that? Would he get that in a couple of the Flyers’ preseason games? Ahead of the NHL preseason and training camp, Flyers management seems to be thinking about those questions at least.
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