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Luchanko: Flyers prospect remains AHL ineligible
During the recent Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp, I received word that the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association planned to phase in certain aspects of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) immediately for the 2025-26 campaign. The rest would take effect for 2026-27. That led to a natural question.
Would the new CHL-AHL Age Rule amendment be in place this coming season? The rule change would allow NHL teams to appoint one 19-year-old CHL prospect per year exempt from the Age Rule. The regulation, implemented when the NHL lowered the Draft age following its merger with the World Hockey Association, requires CHL-affiliated draftees to be at least 20 years old to qualify for the American Hockey League.
For the Flyers, an immediate rule adjustment would allow 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko to play immediately for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The existing rule does not allow for it. Luchanko celebrated his 19th birthday on August 21.
Unfortunately, Flyers Hockey Operations sources did not think the Age Rule exemption would take effect in 2025-26. Before it’s implemented, both the American Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League (OHL, WHL, and QMJHL) would have to sign on to amend the Age Rule immediately.
CHL brass is the obstacle
The AHL wouldn’t mind an immediate Age Rule tweek. It benefits their interests to bring highly touted youngsters into the league a year early.
However, the CHL is another story. The Canadian major junior circuits are already smarting from the loosened NCAA eligibility rules. The junior leagues have already lost the likes of Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone to collegiate programs.
Would it be impossible for the NHL to twist enough arms and get an immediate Age Rule amendment? No. Is it likely, however? The answer is also no. It’s not the NHL’s top priority.
Rather, Gary Bettman’s primary objective is to close as many CBA loopholes as fast as possible. Hence, the NHL (with NHLPA consent) pushed through an immediate playoff salary cap and long-term injured reserve rule tweaks.
Flyers likely to face NHL/OHL choice
Barring the immediate Age Rule tweak, the Flyers find themselves in a conundrum with Luchanko. He’s clearly too advanced for the Ontario Hockey League at this point. He’s ready for the challenge of the American Hockey League on a full-season basis.
Conversely, is Luchanko ready for a full NHL season? That’s debatable. Meanwhile, is the OHL a sufficient challenge for the young player’s development? He’d just be biding his time until he could join the Phantoms at the end of his junior year.
The rules aren’t logical. Why is a 19-year-old player who leaves college or Europe able to play immediately in the AHL but a comparable CHL players cannot? Why could a late-year birthday player like Alexis Gendron play in the AHL before he turned 20 but a player born just a couple months later ( days later in Gendon’s case) cannot? Meanwhile, why is there no problem with even an 18-year-old CHL players joining an AHL team as soon as his junior team is done? Because it’s written, that’s why.
Laperriere Leaves Flyers for Islanders Job
As first reported by Anthony Di Marco, former Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere has left the Flyers’ organization. He accepted a pro scouting job with the New York Islanders. Laperriere spent nine seasons with Philadelphia after he retired from playing. He served as a developmental coach, NHL assistant coach and, finally, four seasons as Phantoms head coach.
The Flyers named Laperriere, 51, a senior advisor to management this offseason. However, “Lappy” strongly preferred to be more directly involved on a day-to-day basis. He hoped to land an immediate coaching job elsewhere. When that did not materialize, he accepted the Islanders offer to scout the NHL and AHL.
Former Flyers assistant coach Rocky Thompson is now with the Islanders, too. He is the new head coach of their AHL farm time in Bridgeport.
Flyers Daily: September 3, 2025
Jason Myrtetutus delves into the new CBA rules. Later, he defines what success looks like for the Flyers this coming season by his definition. What question marks define the 2025-26 preseason? How will they affect the standings, points totals for individual players and the overall roster construction and development through this phase of the rebuild.
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