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Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers were able to complete an improbable run to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Much of that run was thanks to their young players’ contributions. Their youth movement helped bolster the team’s efforts in making their first postseason berth since the 2020 season.
Several of those players weren’t expected to have that kind of impact last season. But in doing so, they justified Flyers’ management’s confidence in their developmental pipeline.
However, for the Flyers to continue their ascent, some of those players will be asked to be key components in making that happen. The fact that general manager Daniel Briere was willing to push all-in with an offer sheet attempt for Ducks’ center Leo Carlsson, that makes those expectations clear.
As the Flyers rookie camp gets closer, we continue summer series in reviewing their younger players’ 2025-26 season performance. In today’s blog, we’ll look at center Jett Luchanko and forward Cole Knuble.
Luchanko At Pivotal Juncture For Scoring Line Role
There’s little question that as he embarks on his first professional season, Jett Luchanko is under a microscope.
The Flyers first round pick (13th overall) in the 2024 Draft came in with the reputation of being a playmaker with blazing speed. However, a core muscle issue has limited his potential offensive growth. Follow a procedure and recover this summer, there is hope that he can get back on track. It’s important to remember that the Flyers took him when he was one of the youngest members of his draft class. As such, a measure of patience can be afforded.
But the fact that he never really developed into a goal scoring threat has called his selection into question. The Flyers passed on defenseman Zeev Buium and center Konta Helenius that year. So there’s a legitimate reason for skepticism in Luchanko’s ultimate upside.
During his last two Ontario Hockey League seasons, he capped out at 21 goals during the 2024-25 season and only scored seven combined goals last season. His reluctance to shoot the puck consistently has been his biggest limitation. How much of that could be pinned on his core issues? It’s a legitimate question to think about.
Do The Flyers Adjust Expectations on Luchanko?
However, when it comes to his defensive responsibilities, Luchanko is dogged in his efforts. Almost to a fault. He closes on the puck carrier with that speed and he plays positionally sound. The Flyers trusted that part of his game enough to play him in a playoff elimination game, albeit on the right wing.
The question then becomes: did the Flyers have more of a bottom six forward on their hands? While you want your first round picks to become NHLers, when you’re drafting in the upper half of that round, you want to have some scoring upside. At the moment, Luchanko doesn’t seem to be tracking in that direction.
And for a team that is looking for top six talent, especially down the middle, that’s not necessarily great news. But he’ll get the opportunity to re-prove himself this season, likely with the Phantoms. So the Flyers will know soon enough if he has something to give or if they choose to shift to a different developmental path with him.
Knuble Throws Hat In Ring As A Dark Horse
After three seasons at Notre Dame, Cole Knuble has proven himself to be more than just a famous surname in Flyers history. While not as big as his father right winger Mike Knuble, Cole certainly developed over his time there and signed a two year entry level contract that begins this season.
Knuble has a strong finish at Notre Dame, scoring nine goals with 22 assists for 31 points through 36 games. He was third on his team in points and served as an alternate captain. Over three NCAA seasons at Notre Dame, Knuble totaled 30 goals and 90 points across 106 games. His best collegiate season came in 2024-25, when he scored 12 goals and 39 points as their points leader. In doing so, he was a 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
The team’s 2024 fourth round pick, Knuble has shown himself to be a versatile player as a center and a right wing. The Flyers are reportedly interested in seeing how he adapts to the pivot position. During the team’s developmental camp, he showed excellent awareness, skating explosiveness, and physical board work. During the full squad scrimmage, he knifed into the zone a few times with power moves. But he showed off his playmaking ability with a great pass to Alex Bump on a two-on-one that the latter scored on.
He’ll get the opportunity to show how he can fit into the team’s immediate and long term future this season.
Off The Post Radio With Guest Heather Rule
Russ Cohen, Michael Augello, and I took a brief hiatus this week while our schedules diverged. But we will be back on the air next Sunday.
In the meantime, check out the latest episode with special guest Heather Rule. Heather covers the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and her own blog “The Written Rule of Sports.”
Cold War In Philly: Streaming & In Person
The Cold War in Philly documentary is available Amazon Prime, Apple TV. YouTube TV and Fandango.ank
Meanwhile, on September 23, the National Liberty Museum is hosting a screening, Q&A panel and reception. Join filmmaker Joe Amodei, Joe Watson Hockey, Brad Marsh, and colleague Bill Meltzer for the panel!
Win a Free Ticket To Meet Flyers Goalie Dan Vladar
On August 29, 2026, Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will be do an in-store appearance at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles. Through our friends at Carl’s, Hockey Hot Stove has arrange for one Hockey Hot Stove member to receive a free autograph ticket for the event.
Vladar will be in the store from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. The contest winner must be able to attend in person to redeem. To enter:
- Follow Hockey Hot Stove (https://x.com/HockeyHStove) and Carl’s Cards (https://x.com/carlscards) on Twitter/X.
- Reply: VladdyHHS
The winner will be selected at random and notified on Wednesday, August 26.
Flyers Warriors Annual Raffle
Every year, the Flyers Warriors hold a late summer raffle to raise money for the program and its various activities. The Flyers organization itself always donates most of the prizes. Contact the Flyers Warriors or any of their members — everyone has raffle tickets available — to purchase. The official website is here.
The official drawing is on September 28.
Phans of Philly: Road Trip Planning
Last season, the Flyers went a perfect 6-0-0 in road trip games organized by Phans of Philly. Large contingents of Flyers faithful traveled together to see the team sweep its California trip. The Flyers also earned wins in New Jersey, Detroit and Pittsburgh (Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal). This season, Phans of Philly planned two road trips involving flights and hotel stays. There will also be a couple bus trips in the works (TBA). The main attractions this season are:
In November, Phans of Philly will take a group of Flyers fans north of the border to see the team play the Ottawa Senators (Nov. 19) and Montreal Canadiens (November 21). This four-night trip is a Phans of Philly exclusive.
Come March, Phans has a five-night trip to see the Flyers play the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights (March 11) and the Utah Mammoth (March 13). Fans will also have the option to add the March 9 game in Denver against the Avalanche ahead of the Vegas and Utah games.
When Phans of Philly announces its fan bus trip game schedule, Hot Stove will run a random drawing for two seats. Stay tuned.
Guffaw Cigars
Five-time NHL All-Star and Flyers Hall of Fame inductee Brian Propp introduced his own line of top-quality hand-crafted Dominican cigars . The Guffaw Cigar collection is highly rated for its balanced boldness, sophistication and premium-aged tobacco. Brian himself is a longtime cigar aficionado. He wanted his signature line to reflect the qualities he values in a cigar.
