It seems like most of the Luchanko discussion is happening here, so I am gonna jot down my thoughts. First and foremost I was compelled to post because I am seeing a whole lot of hype on the site formerly known as Twitter and really some of these takes need reality checks. I will preface the post stating I was not high on the pick at the time soley because I did not view him to have the upside the Flyers seem to and if he was their guy I think they could have moved back further than 13 and still gotten him plus more capital. However, that stated, anything is possible I am higher on his potential now than previously.
This is where I am going dump some cold water. Below are the statements/sentiments I am going to address :
1. He is good enough to be our second line center right now! He was the best player on the ice in the preason game
2. It would be better for his development to play in the NHL level this season. He has developed all he can at the junior level
1)I acknowledge he looked pretty solid in the preason game with a couple points on the scoresheet in an NHL preseason game. I am also happy anyone mad at the pick may be feeling a little better about the future, but please take a peek at the roster Washington iced before going too far with it. It was essentially Sonny Milano and the chocolate Bears. That doesn't totally negate his performance, but come on. He didn't face a single top 6 NHL player, and some people are penciling him in there. Now, shift away from the opponents and peek at the his linemates(which will be TK & TF tonight so again I wouldn't have out the crown yet). He shared the ice with a 50 point established NHL player(A dude I'm hoping can take another step forward from that 50 this season) and a kid pushing to be an every game guy. Combine those linemates with the level of competition and yeah I think people need to chill. If Joel Farabee didn't produce I'd have been a bit concerned. Brink had something to prove. Luchanko just needed play good D and not F up the flow offensively and everyone would say wow, wonderful. And thats exactly what happened.
2)This one drives me Bananas. The statement that kills me most is, "nothing further to develop at the junior level". This kid barely hit a P/PG in the OHL and that equates to he has nothing left to develop in Juniors? Not to state the obvious, but...uh... most Future stars produce a whole lot better than that that in junior. As 15 year old Bedards team was bad and he was scoring at a 100 point pace. That is future star production. Just because he can be servicible in the NHL this season does not mean playing in the NHL would be a benefit to his development. It will be so much harder to develop his offensive impact, leadership, confidence, play driving, creativity, and more. Putting him in the NHL at this age is likely to stunt the growth of his game offensively. That will then lower the chances of him becoming a star in the league. The door won't be closed, but the balancing act that would need to occur to ensure his confidence level grows while being far the best dude on the roster would need to be performed at an Olympic Gymnast level. His chances becoming a star would be much better going back to Guelph and learning to not just be good, but Dominate the Junior level. He needs develop confidence that he is THE best player on the ice, not that he can be ONE OF the best guys on the ice. Lead his team to more wins than people think they are capable of and then not only make Canada's WJC team, but lead them. Be the best on a team of 1st round picks and lead them to a gold medal. That is mental development he can't get at the NHL level. Let him be and grow as "The Guy", because even if he made the roster there is not a chance he will be "The Guy" in any situation.