Photo Credit: Philadelphia Flyers PR
The mock drafts are over. The prospect rankings can stop. The first selection of the 2024 NHL Draft is in the books for the Flyers and it’s Jett Luchanko. That’s right Jett Luchanko, as the Anaheim Ducks went off board and drafted Beckett Sennecke at three.
Jett Luchanko turned 17 on August 21, 2006. He stands at 5’11 and weighs in at 187lbs, according to Mark Scheig of the Hockey Writer’s who attended the Scouting Combine. This is somewhat of a raw build for a pro hockey player and gives him a bit of room should he want to add strength this Summer. Luchanko, is a native of London, ON, CAN, and I’m sure he started playing this sport around the ages of 3-5-years-old.
Now more on the player in Luchanko. The Flyers ended up coming away with the guy they wanted all along. Carter Yakemchuk and Berkly Catton were already scooped up, leaving Luchanko and others hanging in the balance. Yakemchuk was always going to the Ottawa Senators, so woolah he went to Ottawa. Luchanko was one guy the Flyers wanted, and had eyes for. They loved his shot, hands, size, and skating. Moreover, they love what he can turn into, as the Flyers are now targeting shoot-first players in recent drafts. Tyson Foerster’s best ability is his shot. Samu Tuomaala, although he was a second-rounder in 2021, is a guy that can skate and shoot the puck. Matvei Michkov is a cornerstone player that has a lethal shot, but unfortunately Luchanko is more of a playmaker that possesses a good shot when he uses it. Michael Buffer rang in the pick.
Luchanko is a great fit for the Flyers. He tallied 20 goals and 54 assists with the Guelph Storm in just 68 games played in 2023-24. He has a motor without an off switch, but he needs to improve his play in the defensive zone. Luchanko is also very competitive in nature and has star potential. This sets him apart from other prospects, and he is an attractive player for any organization that was willing to take the risk with him.
Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere I’m sure loves Luchanko’s awareness, and it’s a risk worth taking to provide depth down the middle, specifically a possible 1C or 2C. This is valuable for a rebuilding team like the orange and black, as this team will look mighty different over the course of the next few years. His comparable would be Nick Suzuki.
Luchanko’s overall outlook is a forward whose best skill will be his vision of the ice and hockey IQ. He is expected to be present at Flyers’ Development Camp next week in Voorhees, NJ, and hopefully he will play for the Flyers in a year.
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