23 Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft - Jett Luchanko
The Toronto Maple Leafs will pick 23rd in this year's NHL Entry Draft.
Because the Toronto Maple Leafs are picking 23rd, we thought it would be a fun idea to profile 23 potential draft picks they could make in that spot leading up to the draft.
Before the start of this OHL season, Jett Luchanko was not in heavy contention as a top pick in the NHL Draft.
The Guelph Center had a quiet 5 goals, 9 assists & 14 points in 46 games for a Storm team deep in talent down the middle.
The graduation of top centerman Matthew Poitras to the Boston Bruins, as well as overager Cooper Walker going pro, Luchanko finally found a bigger opportunity to gift himself a chance to make his name heard, and much to that he did.
Luchanko didn't just benefit from more playing time, he's an exceptionally hard worker on the ice who consistently plays a high-impact and high-tempo game, and despite being one of the younger players in this draft as an August 2006 birthday, Luchanko is one of this year's smartest draft eligible prospects.
INTRODUCTION
Jett Luchanko is a Canadian Centre. Luchanko was a quiet offensive talent, but really rose his draft stock after a highly impressive showing at the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he stood out for his creativity among many of Canada's top draft eligible prospects.
Luchanko was also a PPG plyer at the U18's for Canada, with 2 goals and 7 points in 7 games for the gold medal winning Canadian team.
Jett Luchanko (@Storm_City) snipes one off the rush to open the scoring for Canada
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 25, 2024
Henry Mews (@Ottawa67sHockey) the lone assist on the play
(🎥: @TSN) pic.twitter.com/PlCPQ37p5f
Luchanko is a pure playmaker who excels at creation from all over the ice. He's a shifty and elusive player with a strong skating ability who does well manipulating play with the puck.
He can be slippery and hard to contain at his best. His creativeness and strong puck/stick combo make Luchanko a constant threat in transition.
HAVE A NIGHT, JETT LUCHANKO 🌪️
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 27, 2024
The #NHLDraft prospect caps off a first-star performance with the OT-winner! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/VnUkrOeU0N
Luchanko is a raw player who's constantly continuing to move up on the level on his floor. His endless amount of hustle and energy is very reminiscent of Easton Cowan in his draft season.
Both players are hard workers who continuously grew their game from start to finish. Although this time around, it seems Luchanko is getting a bit more praise than Cowan, although perhaps Cowan's growth has played a part in enhancing Luchanko's value as an energy piece.
On top of his offensive game, Luchanko has strong positional awareness and a good hockey sense. He does well in tracking the puck and sees the play at a strong level. He's one of the better defensive Centers in this draft, and one of the smartest forwards.
PROJECTION
In my estimation, Luchanko projects to a middle-six center, but his smaller frame may end up moving him onto the wing.
Luchanko doesn't have the size GM's desire in a center, but he does show the energy to potentially stay there, most likely as a 3C, but he'd need to put on some muscle.
Luchanko has quietly been one of my favorites this year, especially from late 2023 when I really felt his emergence take off. Scouts have taken notice of his ability to produce offense in both the OHL and internationally.
He doesn't showcase his shooting ability much, which probably limits his upside a tad, but he has the potential be a very strong complimentary piece if he has a partner who can finish plays, or if Luchanko can end up finding more chances to get the back of the net. I believe his shooting will come but unsure if he'll manage to be a consistent sniper in the NHL. IIf so, I could envision a peak of 60-65 points.
Unlike some other players under 6 feet, Luchanko has the mobility and playmaking talent to overcome any concerns about translatability. When you have a player who's on the smaller end, you're looking for someone that stands out that can make yourself valuable. Luchankos ability to create effective offensive changes is highly intriguing.
EIL's Nicolas Ferrari had this to say in a previous article about Luchanko.
"Jett possesses the unique ability to create plays seemingly out of nowhere by dishing quick passes and setting up multiple chances within one shift. His playmaking ability reminded me a lot of a certain Leaf wearing number 16."
Likelihodd of landing on the Toronto Maple Leafs
Luchanko does project somewhat similar to Cowan in how he goes about the game, although he isn't as explosive as the Leafs 1st rounder.
If the Leafs scouting group values that sort of high-tempo game there's a good likeliness they'd be keeping their eyes on Luchanko.
The only question iis if he's still there.
When i first started seeing the impact of Luchanko's game he wasn't a highly regarded prospect, but soon after became a popular choice in draft rankings, with Craig Button ranking Luchanko 20th.
Button also mocked Luchanko 12th to the Philadelphia Flyers. He likely doesn't go that high in the draft, but may very well be gone somewhere in the teens, and if not, it's hard to imagine the Toronto Maple Leafs as a team that wouldnt want to take him.
Luchanko gives the Leafs a high-quality playmaker who plays with a lot of intensity and a high motor. With uncertainty over the future of Mitch Marner in Toronto, having a playmaking talent in Luchanko would somewhat lessen the blow of a potential end for the Leafs star.
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But for the stuff on the ice Marner does right, you see a lot of it in Jett Luchanko.