Flyers Assign Jett Luchanko to Lehigh Valley

Lost in the news of a coaching change, the Flyers made a move involving their 2024 first-round draft selection.

The Philadelphia Flyers have officially assigned Jett Luchanko to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported the news Monday evening. The Flyers confirmed the report Thursday by officially making the move.

Luchanko, one of the Flyers’ top prospects, began the year in Philadelphia before being sent back to his junior team, Guelph Storm, in the OHL. Luchanko did not tally a point in his four games at the NHL level.

Immediate Analysis of Jett Luchanko to LHV

The move makes sense for multiple reasons.

First of all, the young center would only be able to play five of the Flyers’ remaining eight games before he would need to be sat. If he played more, it would have burned a year off of his entry-level contract.

Second, sending him to the AHL instead gives him a chance to join a team in the midst of a championship pursuit. He never had that with Guelph and would not get it by joining the Flyers.

It also does not rush his development by throwing him right back into the fire that is the NHL.

Since Luchanko is still just 18 years old, he can only play in the AHL until the end of the season. CHL-eligible players may only play in the AHL if their CHL season is completely over. That, of course, only applies to players who have signed their ELC.

Luchanko’s only options for next year are to make the Flyers or be sent back to Guelph.

The 18-year-old center is not be the only prospect on his way to Lehigh.

Anthony SanFilippo reported that Alex Ciernik will be joining Luchanko in Lehigh Valley, which has now also been confirmed by the Phantoms.

Jett Luchanko in Juniors this Year: 21 goals, 35 assists, 56 points in 46 games (Guelph, OHL). One goal in five games (Canada, World Juniors)

Read More: Daniel Briere Talks Firing John Tortorella

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