Why the Blackhawks felt Artyom Levshunov was the right pick at No. 2 overall originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
LAS VEGAS — After an intense internal debate, the Chicago Blackhawks have officially made their decision with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft by selecting two-way defenseman Artyom Levshunov.
All along it was believed that the choice came down to Levshunov and attacking forward Ivan Demidov, and the 18-year-old Belarusian defender defeated the latter.
It should be noted that TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported late Friday night that the Blackhawks made Columbus an offer for the No. 4 overall pick, but it was rejected. The Blackhawks probably would have taken Demidov, which would have gotten them both.
Nevertheless, Levshunov was the Blackhawks’ pick at No. 2 and it was a decision made weeks ago.
“I just think about the total package,” Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said of why Levshunov was the selection. “Offensively, he can drive the attack, he can skate, he’s super mobile, he’s got good size, he’s aggressive, he’s a physical defender and we just think there’s more potential there.
“The package and the potential growth to come were simply intriguing. We really felt it would make us a much better organization.”
The Blackhawks liked Levshunov this season and had scouted him regularly at Michigan State. Their love for him only grew over time, and it’s not hard to see why.
Levshunov put up great numbers as a freshman with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games. The year before, he had 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.
“You see the way he skates and the size of him, that a big guy can get up and down the ice that well, and he’s very puck-friendly and ultra-competitive,” Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey said. “He just kept making the moves.
“Everyone thought he was going back to Green Bay, but he ended up going to Michigan State. He was able to improve his game against players who were 3, 4 and 5 years older than him, and he didn’t miss a game in the USHL.
“And when you meet him off the ice, he is an engaging personality. His character, the way he deals with people, that’s just what we’re all about.”
Physically, Levshunov appears ready for the NHL; he is listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. But the Blackhawks believe there is still more room to grow.
“I just think he’s so far behind, even though he’s a big guy,” Doneghey said. “You look at him and he’s got long arms and long legs; he just hasn’t trained in North America. He’s going to Michigan State in August, so he hasn’t even had a college workout like most kids do. I just think his ceiling is high.”
The big question now is, where will Levshunov play next season? Will he return to Michigan State for a second season or turn pro and play in the AHL?
The Blackhawks appear to have already thought about that.
I’m probably going to talk [his agent] “Then Milstein and give him our sense of what we think and what we think is the best path,” Davidson said. “We’ll let him hear that first.”
With the pick, Levshunov immediately becomes the top prospect in Chicago’s system and a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. He could be the headliner of the new core on the backfield that includes Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic.
“With Levshunov’s size, mobility and the aggressiveness he plays with, he is a great addition to the group,” Davidson said. “But also his ability with the puck and the ability to turn defense into attack is something that he does very well and is just a very attractive addition to the group.”
The Blackhawks don’t just believe Levshunov could be a top defenseman. They think he has all the tools to be a bona fide No. 1 blue-liner, which any Stanley Cup contender needs.
“He definitely has that upside, yeah,” Davidson said. “It’s just the total package. The ability to play both sides of the puck, the upside, the physical. I think there’s still some physical growth to be had in terms of filling out and getting even stronger than he is, which is pretty scary to think about.
“But I think he just has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the puck and log big minutes, which I think he will do at the NHL level.”
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