This is an opinion piece. No predictions, no guarantees, but a few things well worth considering.
If I had not been around to see Jett Luchanko’s arrival in Philly last year and I was just looking at the situation as it stands my opinion may be different. I would agree with a lot of what I’m reading on social media. “The kid is just not ready”. “He’s lacking offense”. “Rodrigo Abols is making a much better case for himself”. Based on what we are currently looking at these are all very valid points.
365 Days
We are not currently seeing the same Jett Luchanko that showed up to development camp last Fall. The Flyers picked Luchanko 13th overall in the 1st round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Jett was a bit of an outlier so there was some grumbling, but there’s always grumbling.
Jett showed up and looked out of place at dev camp. He was a head and shoulders above the rest of the class. Matvei Michkov was not yet in the mix and Jett was the show. Rookie Camp came along and Luchanko again was the guy who caught your eye over and over again. He was the clear stand-out.
During the Rookie scrimmage you were looking forward to his shifts. His speed was impressive. His decisions with the puck consistent. His ability to fly through breakouts. He was making passing plays to get himself out of tight spots long after he seemed to have run out of time and space. The kid had speed, off the charts hockey IQ, and eyes in the back of his head.
Former head coach John Tortorella was pushing hard for Luchanko. Jett made the opening night line-up. At one point during his nine game NHL tryout Torts had him skating shift for shift against Connor McDavid. And he did not look at all out of place doing so. He was 18 years old at the time.
The here and now
This camp was supposed to be almost like a formality for the young center. Show up, have a killer camp, turn a ton of heads, and cruise onto the opening night roster. That was the ideal.
Instead Luchanko showed up to Development Camp still recovering from a groin injury. He did not take part in any of the on ice activities.
Rookie Camp rolled around and out of an abundance of caution, as they say, Jett again was sidelined. Luchanko did not take the ice until main camp opened up.
He’s not turning heads. In fact we didn’t even start to see glimpses of last year’s Jett until the most recent pre-season game against the Bruins on Saturday. He’s lacking confidence. He’s been soft on the puck. Avoiding contact at times along the boards. Making questionable decisions. You see this guy who was full of surprises just one year ago making blind back passes that lead to turnovers. What’s happening here?
The Big Question
Do you think we are seeing a talented young player trying to get his bearings straight after missing a ton of time with a nagging injury? Or do you think one extra season with his dismal OHL team took that much of a toll on his ability to play the sport. And if you chose the latter, do think it’s wise to send him back there?
I am not making a case for Jett Luchanko based on the fact that the organization spent a 1st round pick to acquire him. I am making the case because Luchanko is a very talented ice hockey player who is dealing with a nagging injury that could not have come at a worse time in his young career.
You can’t go back in time but in hindsight he probably should have stayed up with the big club last year when his momentum was riding high and things were blazing in the right direction. This year he is even more of a gamble. But it is a risk that may just be worthy of taking.
Another season with the Guelph Storm is not going to do much for his development. If he was playing for a higher quality organization that may tip the scales a bit. The rule change that would allow the 19 year old to be sent to the Phantoms does not go into effect until next season. For Jett it’s either the NHL or the Storm. The timing on all of this flat out stinks.
I fear sending this very talented young 1st round center back to a very mediocre OHL squad for another miserable season in a situation that he outgrew over a year ago just may be the equivalent of letting him fall through the cracks.
…again, just my opinion.
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Luchanko is not even close to making the team. Guy can barely score in the OHL for crying out loud. Meanwhile Zeev Buium looks like the next rookie of the year Calder winner. Great job drafting guys!
And wtf is with all these scam artists in the comments?
Working on that right now. It’s like chasing flys.
JL has already been stripped of the Guelph captaincy because he has a trade request in if he doesn’t make the Flyers. He’s heading to an OHL contender this week so will not be playing for a bottom feeder.