Luchanko, Michkov fuel youth movement, but Flyers don’t see them as teenagers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers know there will be debate about the NHL readiness of Jett Luchanko, who turned 18 years old not even two months ago.
They know Matvei Michkov won’t be perfect as an NHL rookie after the 19-year-old came to America from Russia in July two years ahead of schedule.
They’ll keep a close eye on the top prospects as both jump into the Flyers’ lineup for the 2024-25 regular-season opener Friday on the road against the Canucks (10 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
Yes, Luchanko, too.
When the Flyers drafted the swift, 5-foot-11 center at 13th overall in the summer, just about nobody had him making the NHL come the fall. But on opening night, he’ll become the youngest player in Flyers history to make his NHL debut.
“Going into training camp, I never thought he had much of a chance, more of an outside chance, small outside chance, to be honest,” general manager Danny Briere said Monday after the team officially announced its roster. “But he has blown us away from Day 1. The speed is one thing that really jumped out, top-end NHL speed already at such a young age; that’s impressive. And then you start watching him play and it’s just all the little details in his game, the way he supports everybody, the way he makes players around him better was very impressive.”
As the Flyers have evaluated Michkov and Luchanko up close, they’ve noticed two youngsters that belie their age. Michkov was a slam-dunk NHLer once the team knew he was on his way. Briere said the Flyers didn’t have “anybody like him in the organization” after Michkov dropped to them at seventh overall in 2023. The dynamic winger had gotten acclimated before camp and was as advertised in the preseason, while Luchanko turned heads with his conditioning and maturity.
“It’s a young league,” head coach John Tortorella said. “See, I don’t look at ages, I don’t. I just watch how they play and what I also watch is how they handle themselves. And I think they both have done a really good job of that.
“Matvei has come in here early, he has learned the language, really no problems communicating with him. He knows the guys, the guys know him — that has been seamless as far as that’s concerned.”
Michkov put up three goals and four assists in four exhibition games, exceeding Briere’s expectations.
“His playmaking abilities are outstanding,” the Flyers’ GM said. “I was really impressed in the…