What is with the conspiracy theories?
Maybe they just like how Luchanko has looked in camp and want to see him in real NHL games?
Whether this is the right move remains to be seen, I'm skeptical, but the motivation isn't some half assed attempt to CYA, b/c it makes no sense.
The idea this is a PR move is silly, come on, how many STHs will renew to see Luchanko?
Has Suzuki packed them into the seats in Montreal?
We're talking a 3C/4C this season, maybe a 2C in a couple years, and if lucky, a 1C by 2031-32.
Michkov is getting the lion's share of attention for good reason, he's going to be special.
No one, other than a few "know it all" die hard fans give a flying F about Luchanko.
Most Flyer fans will root for him if he's on the team, and hardly notice if he's sent back to the CHL.
There's no star power here, he's not Bedard, and he's not advertised as such.