Flyers trade up a position and take Jett Luchanko with the 13th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Flyers moved back one spot in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and selected Jett Luchanko, a center for the OHL’s Guelph Storm, 13th overall.
In the trade with the Wild, the Flyers acquired a 2025 third-round pick.
The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Luchanko is a speedy center and playmaker who has 74 points (20 goals, 54 assists) in 68 games this season for the Storm.
At the 2024 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship a month and a half ago, he had seven points (two goals, five assists) and a plus-5 rating in seven games for a Canadian team that took home gold medals .
Luchanko is too young for his draft. He won’t turn 18 until August 21st.
Several scouting services did not rate him as highly as others who were still on the board were picked by the Flyers. Luchanko was ranked 34th by EliteProspects.com and NHL Central Scouting placed him as the 20th ranked North American skater. He was considered the 18th best player by TSN’s Craig Button and 19th by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Finnish center Konsta Helenius came off the board after the Flyers picked up Luchanko. Helenius made it to No. 6 on Button’s list and the third-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting.
Minnesota traded the pick to the Flyers to sign Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, who was ranked No. 7 by EliteProspects.com and McKenzie.
The Flyers were clearly optimistic about Luchanko, who comes with a lot of upside at just 17 years old. Center is a premium position and is the Flyers’ thinnest area in the organization. Morgan Frost is the only first-round center the Flyers have taken in the previous 11 drafts that are currently on their roster.
“Let’s face it, there is a lack of centers popping up across the organization,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere said just over a week ago. “We don’t try to hide it; it’s a reality.”
Luchanko will have a chance to give the Flyers a lift in their rebuild. The club wanted to identify and develop a high-quality center to play alongside 19-year-old winger Matvei Michkov, their top candidate.
The Flyers also have the 32nd overall pick in this draft reaching the end of the first round.
We have live analysis of the 13th overall selection below.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music | Spotify | Seamstress | Art19 | RSS | Watch on youtube
