Is Jett Luchanko Ready for the NHL?

The Philadelphia Flyers have got their answer on Porter Martone’s future, but what about Jett Luchanko?

Luchanko, the Flyers’ 2024 13th overall draft selection, provides an interesting case for Philly. The team signed him to his entry-level contract last season, which led to him playing four games in the NHL before returning to Guelph.

After his season in Guelph concluded, Luchanko returned to the Flyers’ organization, where he played in the AHL for the Phantoms, which was legal since the Storm were eliminated.

Now, the Flyers are faced with the choice of whether to keep Luchanko on the NHL roster or send him back to the OHL. Signing his ELC has made him ineligible for the NCAA, which is likely the best place for his development. He will be 19 come December 31st, which makes him ineligible for the AHL once again.

Between the Flyers’ depth at center and the steps Luchanko has made in his development, is he ready for the NHL?

Where Does Luchanko Fit in the Flyers Center Depth

The Flyers are extremely thin at center, yet they do have plenty of ~capable~ centers. One would imagine that Trevor Zegras and Sean Couturier will be the team’s top-six centermen. That would leave the two other center spots for Noah Cates, Christian Dvorak, and Rodrigo Abols, who are all currently on the NHL roster. Karsen Dorwart and Jacob Gaucher will likely join Luchanko in the battle for those final roster spots.

As I mentioned, the Flyers have options, but they may not be ideal. The good news? Each of those players is more than capable of playing the wing. So, despite there only being two center spots and six centers fighting for them, some may still be able to make the roster due to their versatility.

But, if he were to make the NHL roster as a wing, would that be better or worse for Luchanko’s development? To me, it feels as if Luchanko makes the NHL roster, it would push Noah Cates back to the wing.

It’s a double-edged sword. You either keep Luchanko in the NHL and have him play develop at the wing because that’s all that’s open, or you push Cates back to the wing after his best career year at center.

To me, Luchanko is probably the fifth-best option the Flyers have at center this season, behind Zegras, Couturier, Cates, and Dvorak. However, if pushing one of the bottom-six centers to the wing means Luchanko does not return to Guelph, it’s worth it. I just don’t want him playing the wing.

Do the Numbers Suggest He Is Ready for the NHL

All of this could be a moot point if the Flyers believe Luchanko’s numbers suggest he is not ready for the NHL. So, let’s look at the numbers?

Prior to being drafted by the Flyers, Luchanko posted 20 goals and 54 assists for 74 points in 68 games–a 1.09 point-per-game pace.

Luchanko did not play as many games in the O this past season since he began the year in the NHL, and took some time away when he represented Canada at the World Juniors. So, in 46 games for Guelph this past season, Luchanko had 21 goals and 35 assists for 56 points, playing at a 1.22 point-per-game pace.

At World Juniors, Luchanko had one goal, his only point in five games. He never registered a point in the NHL–though he did seem to be able to keep pace.

Once Guelph’s season concluded, Luchanko joined the Phantoms for the postseason run. Although he did not score any goals, he registered nine assists in 16 total games. Specifically, he earned six assists in seven playoff games, where he looked much more comfortable.

To me, the numbers suggest that he is not quite ready for the NHL, but is right on the doorstep. The NCAA or AHL would be the perfect spot for him, so it’s a shame he is ineligible for both. Now, we will just have to wait until camp to see if he will be ready for the NHL.

Do you think Luchanko will be on the NHL roster?