The Chicago Blackhawks are all but guaranteed to select Artyom Levshunov second overall, according to The Athletic.
GM Kyle Davidson said he already knew the identity of the player he was going to select and everyone knows it will be the Belarusian defender.
Meanwhile, the Ducks appear to be leaning toward a defenseman, with everyone predicting they’ll select Anton Silayev.
The Blue Jackets, for their part, are hesitating between Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov. Ultimately, Columbus will decide for Kent Hughes.
Still, the chances are enormous that Ivan Demidov will become a member of the Montreal Canadiens, just like Cayden Lindstrom. We will have to thank the Hawks…and Artyom Levshunov…
“Hello everyone” announced Artyom Levshunov, arms outstretched, introducing himself dramatically.
Some prospects are known for their winning personalities. And then there are those who start talking on NHL media day, before reporters even have a chance to ask a question.
This is the case of Artyom Levshunov, the extroverted Belarusian defender from Michigan State University who is on the verge of arriving in Chicago.
But be careful, it’s not Artyom, it’s “Arty”. He wants to be called that. Unlike many players from his region, he is already fluent in English and knows how to attract attention.
This is the result of his arrival in North America in 2022-23, when he opted to play in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers due to the CHL’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players due to of the conflict in Ukraine.
At 18, he has already overcome what can be a steep learning curve and has settled into North American life. He is known as a cheerful student who rides his bike around Michigan State’s campus in the dead of winter.
"I think I got a little used to it," he said.
“Of course, it’s a different world from Belarus here. But yes, I like being here. America is fun. I love it.”
He understands that he has the potential to become a world star, not only because of his skills on the ice, but also because he loves the cameras…like PK Subban who has been so successful in creating a brand image for himself. Everything about his demeanor Wednesday shows that he is ready for it.
"I’m just trying to be myself, that’s all," did he declare. “It’s pretty simple.”
To be clear: Levshunov’s big personality is an asset, but it’s not his biggest selling point. He is not a mascot. He’s a major league talent, the kind who could fundamentally change an NHL franchise for the better. And the Hawks understood it.
Despite being 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he says his idols are Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar. Being so fluid and aiming to control a match like them, with a much bigger body, is going to scare Levshunov’s future opponents.
“I like to take something from them for myself and try to learn from them,” he said.
“I like a lot of players, but I try to be myself on the ice, to be Artyom Levshunov.”
The big question heading into the 2024 draft: Are the Chicago media right to send him to Chicago?
It seems like there’s a surprise big pick in the NHL Draft almost every year. In 2016, for example, it was No. 3, when the Columbus Blue Jackets surprised everyone by trading up on Jesse Puljujarvi for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
In 2022, it was, believe it or not, the No. 1 pick, when Shane Wright fell to No. 4 after the Montreal Canadiens opted for Juraj Slafkovsky.
This season: Look no further than the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 2, a pick they’re getting calls for but don’t see trading.
If we have to pick the biggest talent available: you could argue that the choice should be right winger Ivan Demidov, whose game is compared to that of Nikita Kuchero.
But the Blackhawks already have generational talent Connor Bedard to build around and have bolstered their young forward pipeline with first-round picks Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore in recent drafts.
They have a very underrated young defensive defenseman in Alex Vlasic, signed long-term at a bargain price, and a high-quality, mobile defenseman prospect with a full NHL season in Kevin Korchinski.
As Kent Hughes would tell you, a prospect pool can never really have too many good young defensemen.
And there’s an argument to be made that Levshunov’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s in this draft.
He is tall, slender, athletic, considered a physical phenomenon. He is gifted offensively while possessing the skill set to make him a stud in all situations.
When a player of this caliber is available, even in a draft full of other top defensemen, sometimes you have to jump at the chance.
The Ducks did it two years ago when they selected Pavel Mintyukov 10th overall. A few years later, his time in the NHL gave them the luxury of trading Jamie Drysdale for offensive help with Cutter Gauthier.
Upgrade your blue line now and you can always trade a player to upgrade another position in the future.
So everything indicates the Hawks will call Levshunov’s name Friday at the Las Vegas Sphere. This is an outcome that Levshunov has considered for a long time…and wants with all his heart…
He enjoyed his conversations and meetings with them and described them as “good people”.
“They have a lot of young players there, they have a very good organization,” he said.
How quickly could he help them? The Hawks have plenty of space under the salary cap and are in position to become more competitive next season, which would be wise to do as long as Bedard remains on his rookie contract.
Most scouts believe Levshunov already has an NHL-ready game, although it’s still too early to know if he’ll turn pro as soon as next season.
“It depends on which team picks me. We’ll see after the draft, but I’m ready for the NHL.”
He’s ready to become a Hawks. And Demidov is ready to become a tricolor…
Fingers crossed…
So maybe Chicago will secure its franchise defender Friday night. Otherwise, don’t bet on ‘Arty’ falling. His ceiling is simply too high, on and off the ice.
