Among players with similar minutes, only Abols took less shot
attempts than Luchanko at 5v5. Luchanko only took 5 attempts all-situations in 4 games, despite constant PP time and NHL top 9 linemates. I'd wager most of them were crashing the net. The inability to manufacture your own shot (against a lot of AHL competition) is usually a telltale sign you're having trouble. Those are Cates-like numbers.
If Luchanko were to stick, it's not going to be due to his offense.
It'll be b/c his IQ, maturity and speed allow him to be effective as a defense first center who can provide a little offense.
It's unlikely, but it's an easier transition than an offense first player who isn't fundamentally sound on defense.
You're trying to kill me. Sometimes I imagine you're Michael Myers and I'm Dr. Loomis. "I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up, because I realized that what was living behind that user's posts was purely and simply......contrarian."
On some level, I know what you're saying. But no 18 year old, with middling draft year production, should EVER stick in the NHL because of defense. It's a recipe for stalling future progress. But a point that needs emphasis: you have
zero idea if he's good defensively at age 18 in the NHL. Assuming defensive impact for anyone is a foolhardy exercise. Let alone assuming an 18 year old is the next Patrice Bergeron. They drafted him 13th overall imaging he is a core piece. They should not give one f*** about his defense today.