3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks top prospect Artyom Levshunov's NHL debut

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Artyom Levshunov made his NHL debut Monday in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Despite the loss, the 19-year-old had a great debut for the team. His defensive poise, offensive awareness, and on-ice ability were key throughout the game.

Here are three takeaways from Artyom Levshunov's NHL debut...

1. Ice Time

Levshunov logged nearly 21 minutes of ice time.

He defended against top players from the Colorado Avalanche such as Nathan MacKinnon, who notched point No. 1000th in the shutout win. MacKinnon recorded two assists to reach the milestone.

Levshunov recorded six shot attempts, with three on goal and finished with a -1 in the plus/minus category.

"Step by step. Yeah, I was getting more confident, for sure," Levshunov said on his debut. "Unfortunately, we lost, but yeah, I think we played hard."

This was the first time this season that the Blackhawks were shut out. According to Blackhawks radio pre- and postgame host Charlie Roumeliotis, they were shut out 12 times last season. So, there is another sign the rebuild is moving in the right direction.

2. Offensive Engagement

Levshunov, known for his two-way play, showcased his offensive prowess in his debut. He registered six shot attempts, with three of them on goal. His offensive drive is a key component for the Blackhawks' blue line.

In the second period, Levshunov was dialed in on the power play, delivering a strong shift.

3. Growth and Potential

The Hawks certainly got a glimpse of what Artyom Levshunov can bring to the table as he continues to develop.

Head coach Anders Sorensen was impressed about Levshunov's debut, noting he "defended well" and was "assertive," showing signs of his impact in the future.

With Alec Martinez being day-to-day, Levshunov could possibly stay with the roster as the Blackhawks continue their four-game road trip in San Jose against the Sharks Thursday.