The Philadelphia Flyers released their opening night roster on X Monday morning.
ICYMI: We've announced our 23-man opening day roster for the 2024-25 campaign. #LetsGoFlyers https://t.co/DfjwnDYOlq
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 7, 2024
While there aren't any huge surprises, one player who made the roster that fans didn't expect would make it is Jett Luchanko, the team's first-round pick in 2024 (13th overall). Let's get to know Luchanko and explore why he made the roster.
Who is Jett Luchanko?
Luchanko is a 5'11" 187-pound center who comes from London, Ontario. He just turned 18 years old on August 21, 2024. Luchanko would become the youngest player ever to make their debut for the Flyers should he play in Friday night's opener.
Will Luchanko's age affect how long he stays?
Flyers fans are skeptical about whether Luchanko's age will affect how long he stays in the majors. As he's only 18 years old, he still has a lot of growing to do. However, he does have a decent skill set to show off on opening night. Should he perform poorly early, Flyers coach John Tortorella may send him back to his junior club, the Guelph Storm of the OHL. If he plays fewer than 10 games, he won't burn the first year of his entry level contract.
Luchanko's skill set
One thing that Luchanko has that the Flyers are in desperate need of is speed. Speed can be used to create scoring opportunities and allow players to get around the opposing team. While he only played in four preseason games and tallied two assists, he was able to give his team plenty of scoring opportunities with his speed. He also has a great set of hands when it comes to passing the puck. Setting up chances in the offensive zone is something Flyers fans should look out for.
Matvei Michkov scores off a feed from Jett Luchanko. Fans watching enjoyed it. pic.twitter.com/52U2JS9DHC
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 12, 2024
Exciting season for the Flyers
Flyers fans should have a lot to look forward to this upcoming season. With Luchanko making the roster and Matvei Michkov coming over from Russia, this season could be a very exciting one. The power play will be getting some much-needed help and the addition of speed may be a secret asset for the team.
The Flyers first regular season game is Friday, October 11 in Vancouver against the Canucks.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!