Flyers Blog: Philly Needs to Show Patience with Jett Luchanko

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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 01: <a class= — BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 01: Philadelphia Flyers forward Jett Luchanko (17) heads for the penalty box during a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on October 1, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire) BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 01: Philadelphia Flyers forward Jett Luchanko (17) heads for the penalty box during a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on October 1, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

William James

Tue, Mar 17, 2026 ·

5 min read

Philadelphia Flyers center prospect Jett Luchanko has had anything but an ordinary experience since being drafted 13th overall in 2024.

Luchanko was a prospect many experts had landing somewhere in the late first round. Some even had him going in the second. However, the Flyers’ front office saw something in the player that led them to select him in the lottery. He was a surprise pick. That made it an even bigger surprise when Luchanko made the Flyers out of his first NHL training camp.

After 4 games in the NHL in 2024, Luchanko was loaned back to the Guelph Storm in the OHL, where he was later named captain. In that 2024-25 season, the Flyers prospect had 21 goals and 56 total points in 46 games. He even earned a spot on the Canadian World Juniors team that season.

Following Guelph’s season, Luchanko joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) for a postseason push. He earned 3 assists in 6 regular-season games and 6 assists in 7 playoff games.

Luchanko then made the Flyers out of training camp in 2025, before being loaned back to the OHL after another 4 games in the NHL. He made his second World Juniors roster and was traded to the Brantford Bulldogs after just 11 games in the OHL. It’s been a down year for the Flyers prospect, scoring 7 goals and 42 total points in a combined 38 games between the two OHL teams. Injury has kept him out recently as well.

It’s been an unusual experience for Luchanko since being drafted.

Could the Flyers move on from their top center prospect?

TSN’s Craig Button recently said on Sekeres & Price that he could see the Flyers being willing to trade Luchanko, as he does not see him as “a top-line player”. Ironically, Button was the only expert to predict the Flyers selecting Luchanko early in the 2024 draft.

Button went on the show to discuss different avenues for the Vancouver Canucks to address their need for young center talent.

Button brought up the Flyers, mentioning that he sees both Jack Berglund and Jack Nesbitt as 3C’s. He brings up the possibility of floating one of those players out there to see what a potential return looks like.

That is where Button brought up Luchanko. “They might be willing to trade Jett Luchanko,” said Button. “I don’t see him as a top-end player. But, these are the conversations you need to have when you’re in this spot, using your draft picks not just to select a prospect, but to maybe make a trade.”

Obviously, it’s all speculation from Button, looking at different ways for the Vancouver Canucks to find a young center. To this point, there has been no indication that the Flyers would ever consider giving up their top center prospect.

However, it certainly does raise an interesting question. With the lack of production and no real next step taken since his draft year, could the speculation become a reality?

Why Luchanko needs patience

In my opinion, trading Luchanko because he doesn’t project to be a top-end player would be a mistake. The Flyers need centers, plain and simple. So, why would they be looking to trade their top center prospect?

If a trade for a bona fide top-line or even top-six center included Luchanko, that’s one thing. But trading Luchanko because he has only been a little over a point-per-game since being drafted would be a mistake.

Sure, it would have been nice to see him dominate in juniors. But it’s important to keep in mind that his development has been anything but ordinary. Having him bounce back and forth between the NHL and OHL twice probably did not help. Not to mention the multiple World Juniors stints with minimal minutes, and the trade probably did him no favors either.

Another thing Button mentioned on Sekeres & Price is the new rule allowing 19-year-old CHL players to play in the AHL beginning next season. Teams will have the chance to allow their prospects to develop directly under them. Luchanko would have benefited from that greatly this season. He’ll get the chance next season as a 20-year-old.

Next season will be important for Luchanko. It could be the first time, really, since his draft year, that he could play a whole season from start to finish with the same club. No interruptions.

He has the speed, can skate, and has great defensive skills. Luchanko is solid at the dot and is a smart player. His offensive game is what warrants the question marks. Despite having a great shot and showing his offensive tools in flashes, it has never really translated to consistency.

A year in the AHL, uninterrupted, could be exactly what he needs to take that next step offensively. Instead of rushing him to the league or even rushing to judge their top center prospect, the Flyers need to have patience with Jett Luchanko.

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