Flyers trade back one spot, take Jett Luchanko with No. 13 pick in 2024 NHL draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Flyers moved up one spot in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft, selecting Jett Luchanko, a center from the OHL’s Guelph Storm, at 13th overall.
In the trade with the Wild, the Flyers received a 2025 third-round pick.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Luchanko is a speedy, game-changing player who scored 74 points (20 goals, 54 assists) in 68 games for the Storm this season.
At the 2024 IIHF U-18 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 Canada team that took home gold medals.
Luchanko is very young for his military service, he will not turn 18 until August 21st.
Several scouting services did not rate him as highly as other players still on the board when the Flyers selected him. Luchanko was ranked No. 34 by EliteProspects.com, and NHL Central Scouting had him as the 20th-ranked North American skater. He was considered the 18th-best player by Craig Button of TSN and No. 19 by Bob McKenzie of TSN.
Finnish center Konsta Helenius came off the board after the Flyers took Luchanko. Helenius was ranked as high as No. 6 on Button’s list and the third European skater by NHL Central Scouting.
Minnesota traded players with the Flyers to select Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, who was ranked No. 7 by both EliteProspects.com and McKenzie.
The Flyers were clearly bullish on Luchanko, who at 17 has a lot of potential. 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 last 11 drafts who is currently on their roster.
“Let’s face it, we’re short on centers coming through the organization,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere said a little more than a week ago. “We haven’t tried to hide that; it’s a reality.”
Luchanko will have the chance to give the Flyers a lift in their rebuilding efforts, as the club sought to identify and develop a high-end centre to play alongside 19-year-old winger Matvei Michkov, their top prospect.
The Flyers also have the 32nd overall pick in this draft at the end of the first round.
Below you will find a live analysis of the 13th selection.
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