The Chicago Blackhawks have two first-round picks, one at #2 and the other at #18. While it will likely be the pick of Artyom Levshunov or Ivan Demidov at number two, who could they take at that 18th spot or potentially trade up a few more spots to snag? Chicago Hockey Now’s Future Blackhawks Prospect will feature a handful of prospects at that spot until the 2024 NHL Draft. Today we look at Jett Luchanko.
Jett Luchanko At A Glance
Forward
17 years old (7/21/06)
Games: 68
Goals-Assists-Points: 20-54-74
League/Team: OHL/Guelph Storm
The Chicago Blackhawks took Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He is going to be the number-one center on this team for the next decade or more. They don’t have any problems there.
Most Stanley Cup teams have a number two guy who could be number one on other teams. The Blackhawks are still looking for that guy. He could be a free agent signing one day, he could already be in the organization, or he could be coming via the draft over the next few years.
There are some good prospects in the system that play center but you never know their true ceiling in the NHL. Some guys are third-line centers at best which is also a very important role but nothing like a 2C.
Some guys show offensive skills but it never works as a center playing in all three zones. Those guys usually end up on the wing. Having good wingers is important too so that’s not necessarily a bad thing either.
One player to consider drafting with all of this in mind is Jett Luchanko of the Guelph Storm. He is considered to be one of the five best centers in the 2024 NHL Draft class. He could end up playing center in the NHL or he could be a wing one day. Only time will tell.
If he ends up being a wing, there are more options for Bedard or other lines. If he ends up playing center, he could turn into that number-two guy or add depth to the position.
He scored 20 goals in 68 games with Guelph which isn’t a bad number but it was his playmaking that stood out as he had 54 assists. His ability to use his speed to create offense and retrieve pucks elevates his overall game.
Will Jett Luchanko be there for the Blackhawks?
When the Blackhawks come up to pick at 18, Luchanko should be available. He likely won’t go before then but he could go any time after. There is even a chance that he will be there when Chicago comes up to select again in the second round (34th overall).
It is on them to decide if they want to select a center like that at either 18 or 34. A lot may depend on who they take with the second overall pick because it could affect their mindset when it comes to selecting positionally.
If a speedy center who can make plays is something that they’d like, Jett Luchanko might be a great option for them to consider.
Macklin Celebrini | Cole Eiserman | Artyom Levshunov | Michael Hage | Ivan Demidov | Cayden Lindstrom | Berkley Catton | Adam Jiricek |Konsta Helenius| Sacha Boisvert | Trevor Connelly | Liam Greentree |Tij Iginla| Zeev Buium| Cole Hutson|
This article first appeared on Chicago Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.