Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Speed, speed, speed. Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella spoke on the need for speed in the Flyers lineup. Luchanko more than provides that, as he is an elite skater. “The speed he brings through the middle of the ice is intriguing,” Tortorella said last week following practice.
Coupled with that quote above, and yesterday’s quote before morning skate. It doesn’t sound like Jett Luchanko will be sent back to his home junior team in the Guelph Storm after this nine game stint, “I’m not giving Jett a long look. I’m giving him more ice time because he deserves it. He adds a dimension of speed through the middle,” Tortorella said.
Speed is the name of the game in today’s NHL, and Tortorella knows that. Tortorella knows that no other player on the team has the speed that Luchanko has. Just look at his speed to enter the zone in this clip below with the man advantage. It helps the orange and black for zone entries, which they have struggled with for the past few seasons. Here is a good video of Luchanko displaying his elite speed:
Another thing he provides is maturity. Luchanko carries himself like a pro, and better yet he’s only 18-years-old. He weighs 190 pounds and stands at 5’11, but he plays like a player that weighs 230 pounds. He doesn’t shy away from puck battles and that was evident in his first three games as a Flyer. The Flyers were pinned in their own zone at one point in each game Luchanko has played in, but he holds a player along the boards, strips the player of the puck, and lifts the puck out of the zone.
Tortorella spoke very highly of Luchanko following practice on Monday. He commended Luchanko for bringing a “Dynamic” ability for making plays to the man advantage. Tortorella continued to speak, and he said that element was missing this past Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.
Obviously, Tortorella is absolutely right. The second Power Play unit just didn’t have the same flow or chemistry without the services of Luchanko like the night prior on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks.
The second Power Play unit for the Flyers looked in sync, with good puck movement with Luchanko in the lineup. Luchanko adds the speed element, but Bobby Brink, Joel Farabee, and Tyson Foerster were dominant. They are all being set up by Luchanko, with his willingness to take the hit to make the play.
For the past few seasons, since Jake Voracek was traded, the Flyers have struggled with zone entries with the man advantage. They just didn’t have the talent, with abilities to be an effective puck carrier while entering the zone. Luchanko’s speed is one reason he is able to enter zones cleanly, and more often than not.
The 18-year-old in Luchanko has excellent vision of the ice, rather it’s quite elite, as well. He makes plays happen that is not spotted by the naked eye. He pays attention to the small details, like winning puck battles, making the right outlet passes, and enters the opponents zone with ease at times. The Flyers needed more creativity with their offense, and Luchanko infuses it greatly. Especially, with his great defensive skills. Luchanko plays very well defensively, and that is yet another element that Tortorella loves about the young man.
Luchanko is a bit raw offensively. His defensive skills and skating abilities are top notch, however, his shot needs improvement. That will come in time, and he knows that, “It was just cool to be out there amongst those guys. Something you always dream about,” Luchanko said following his NHL Debut.
If he continues to get commended by his coach, then it is highly unlikely he will return to his Junior team in the Guelph Storm, as mentioned above.
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This is such a well-balanced and thoughtful post.