I wish he was more toolsy or dynamic. He actually reminds me a lot of JT Compher there. He will make the obvious pass to an open guy, and he has a good shot if he's open, but he won't create those options. He protects the puck well, but doesn't seem like a high end puck handler to me. His skating seems fine, but probably not a rush offense type guy at the pro level.
It makes me think of when people call Danielson or Kasper future 3rd line centers. For me, this is what a real third line center looks like.
Also, I'm categorically against people being named Jett. Other than Joan Jett.
Had not seen him play prior to the U18s, but I thought he was pretty impressive at the U18s.
Brock Otten who covers the OHL is a fan of his, this was his writeup on him.
It's time to update my draft board for the 2024 NHL draft now that we're past the halfway point of the OHL season. Back in early November ( ...
ohlprospects.blogspot.com
5. Jett Luchanko - Center - Guelph Storm
I recently posted the
preliminary media/scout poll for 2024 and I was actually quite shocked to see how many of my contemporaries had Luchanko outside of the top ten. This tells me that he's being massively undervalued in the amateur scouting community right now. He's transformed himself from an excellent high energy checker as a rookie to a dynamic playmaker and offensive catalyst as a sophomore. Matt Poitras making the NHL this year had to have been such a blow to the psyche of Guelph players to start the year, but Luchanko was like "hold on, I got you." I love to see that from a younger player, stepping up to put a team on his back. Luchanko's got the speed, the tenacity, the skill, and the IQ to be a top six center at the NHL level. He's also a committed two-way player and has kept up the strong off puck play that he exhibited last year, despite being counted upon to be an offensive play driver. Really the only two things missing from Luchanko's game is a high end shot (it's a weakness) and strength to win battles consistently. He can be easily pushed off the puck/knocked off stride. But what I love is that it doesn't deter him from trying to work between the dots. He's like Thomas the Tank Engine. Once the strength and conditioning improves, he's going to be even more dangerous because we'll see him playing through contact.
Hockeyprospect.com also had him top 20 on their ranking back in January, they may have him higher on their final list.
