(Photo: Perry Nelson, Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3b7dbfea-06b7-4019-a071-0fd15c2b8afc.jpeg] (Photo: Perry Nelson, Imagn Images) Top Philadelphia Flyers center prospect Jett Luchanko may be closer to making the NHL full-time than most realize. Luchanko, still just 18, already played in four NHL games for the Flyers last season. Not making the Flyers' NHL roster again this season and/or failing to stick around longer would objectively be a step backwards in his development. So, how close is the 2024 No. 13 overall pick to the NHL really? According to EliteProspects, Luchanko is the 30th-best drafted prospect [https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/nhl-prospects/ranking-the-nhls-top-100-affiliated-prospects-ahead-of-the-2025-26-season] on their list of the top 100 youngsters, placing ahead of other forward prospects with NHL seasoning, like Jimmy Snuggerud, Oliver Moore, Dalibor Dvorsky, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and Ville Koivunen. Given that the Flyers did not use their top 2025 draft selection on a center (RW Porter Martone [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/A7PbDfLClfevN6UE86e3]), a prominent role on the Flyers is still in the cards for Luchanko. "Jett Luchanko has a clear path to a top centre role in the Philadelphia Flyers’ lineup. Already a mature defensive player, aware passer, and high-end skater, he should be able to build chemistry with some of the team’s more creative players, helping him to further develop his offensive skills," writes EliteProspects director of North American scouting Mitch Brown. Flyers Suddenly Boast Robust Group of Center Prospects After 2 Strong Drafts [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2322a29d-f448-4ca3-8aee-eae4e5969f98.webp] Flyers Suddenly Boast Robust Group of Center Prospects After 2 Strong Drafts Center has long been seen as a position of great weakness for the rebuilding <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a>, but that just doesn't seem to be accurate anymore. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-suddenly-boast-robust-group-of-center-prospects-after-2-strong-drafts] "Luchanko added more deception to his passing this season. The next step is developing his scoring skills from afar and near the net. A high-floor prospect, he could push his upside over the next season and become a second-line pivot candidate." As Brown alluded to, Luchanko did feature alongside Matvei Michkov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-expectations-for-matvei-michkov-should-be-tempered-in-year-2] for a good portion of rookie camp this time last year. Playing together in an NHL game with stakes is a different story, obviously, but maybe a year of maturing and learning helps that. With 21 goals and 56 points in 46 games with the OHL Guelph Storm last season, Luchanko didn't blow the doors off, but Guelph is also one of the least-talented teams in the OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-in-the-archive-how-denver-barkey-stayed-winning-with-the-london-knights]. If the key to his further development is all about scoring, like Brown noted above, the 18-year-old would be better suited playing with NHL-caliber players who can create for him and finish the chances he creates. Flyers' Jett Luchanko Thriving in First True Playoff Experience [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/19c6fa23-65a7-4afb-b794-b719d82e37ad.jpeg] Flyers' Jett Luchanko Thriving in First True Playoff Experience Top <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> forward prospect Jett Luchanko is coming into his own during his first postseason experience as a pro player. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-jett-luchanko-thriving-in-first-true-playoff-experience] This is especially prudent given that Luchanko is not yet eligible to be assigned to the AHL full-time. It's the OHL or the NHL, and the AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/flyers-could-benefit-greatly-from-potential-surprise-ahl-rule-change] can follow at the end of the season like it did just a few months ago. The good news is that, while Luchanko's stock appeared to drop amongst Flyers fans after a so-so 2024-25 season, the experts have actually gotten higher on the 5-foot-11 pivot over time. What comes next is up to him, but a top-30 placement is about as good a spot for Luchanko to be as the Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] could have asked for.
