Blackhawks Leaning Toward Artyom Levshunov With No. 2 Overall Draft Slot?

The Chicago Blackhawks own the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and can select anyone they want, after the San Jose Sharks take Macklin Celebrini.

Following last week's NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, it looks like that player could be Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov just as much as it could be dynamic forward Ivan Demidov from St. Petersburg — the so-called "next Nikita Kucherov."

“I’d say the debate is still very real,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said after the combine. “I thought we would have a little, maybe a decision at this point, which is not a bad thing at all, but I think there are some really good options out there.

"And so it’s something that we’re knocking around, we’ll take a little bit of a break after the combine and kind of revisit that in seven-10 days and start going through things again. But yeah, we’ll decide closer to again, so no, we’re still knocking things around.”

The personable Levshunov said he enjoyed meeting with representatives from 17 NHL teams during the combine. But he noted the Blackhawks were the only club to take him to dinner at the multi-day event for prospect fitness testing and meeting NHL team personnel.

"It was cool," Levshunov told reporters. "We had some good conversations. It was a fun time. We had some fun there.

"Had some food, guys. We had some good conversations. It was a fun talk with them. That's it. Got some couple beers," added the 18-year-old who shoots from the right side.  "No, no, no. Yeah, just it was a good time with them."

BTW: The drinking age in New York is 21, unless the booze comes from a parent or guardian. 

Levshunov was just trying to enjoy the process. He's going to be selected high in the draft after a freshman season with the Spartans when he posted nine goals and 26 assists and was a plus-27 in 38 games. The native of Zhlobin, Belarus wasn't just one of the best first-year defensemen in NCAA play, he was one of the best defensemen.

Just as he did in kidding with reporters, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Levshunov had a presence on the ice last year. It included 44 penalty minutes and willingness to get physical.

Levshunov said he still needs to work on the details if his game, be more consistent "and play the right way every game."

He doesn't pattern himself after any one NHL defenseman. although he watches the likes of Cale Makar, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Dahlin and Charlie McAvoy to learn from them.

"I try to be myself, actually on the ice" Levshunov said. 

Whatever Levshunov said to the Blackhawks contingent must have made a positive impression. The No. 2 pick in 2024 will be as tough decision for Davidson and his staff as it was easy to select Connor Bedard No. 1 in 2023.

Largely a Matter of Risk Tolerance

Monty Hall, the host of the original "Let's Make A Deal" game show may have been the most prominent true Winnipegger known to Chicago hockey fans until Jonathan Toews came along.

What the Blackhawks face with the No. 2 overall draft pick is a little like one of Hall's propositions to many contestants.

The contestant already has won a trip to Hawaii. But do they want to roll the dice and go for what's behind the door at the end of the show? It could be a new car. It could be a broken-down heap, a.k.a. a "zonk."

The same is true when it comes to Levshunov versus Demidov.

Never mind that Belarus is in Russia's and Vladimir Putin's orbit. Levshunov is here in North America, now. He has an upside is as big as his personality.

Demidov is more more of a mystery. He's been projected as a snazzy playmaker and just maybe, the forward who could really connect with Connor Bedard to form a long-term dynamic duo.  And the Blackhawk have a several top defenseman prospects who seem ready to graduate from the AHL to the NHL next season. A couple more are just down the road.

But Demidov is Russian. He's under a KHL contract for another year and will play there in 2024-25. It's hard to watch Russian players in action, even if  Davidson has confidence in his Russian scout, Anatoly Semenov.

Demidov and other Russian prospects were not at the combine. Agent Dan Milstein plans to hold a showcase in Florida before the draft. Teams will be able to meet with Demidov and other Russian players there.

If the Blackhawks select Levshunov, keeping tabs on him will be easy. 

He came to North America just two years ago, skating first with the USHL Green Bay Gamblers in 2022-23 where he started to learn English and acclimated. That process continued last season at MSU.

It's possible that Levshunov could return to the Spartans next season and not turn pro right away. Even so, the Blackhawks would know their investment is safely nearby, in East Lansing, Michigan.

"We'll see," Levshunov said. "It's possible. After the draft, we'll see what team picks me and we'll decide after the draft."

"Any team would be good for me," Levshunov said. "I just wanted to be drafted. Any team that has a good organization, they try to care about their players. I just want to be in the NHL someday. It’s my dream to play there."