If the Chicago Blackhawks drafted differently, how would the rebuild look?

2024 Draft

With the second pick of last year’s draft, Davidson selected Artyom Levshunov out of Michigan State.

The 19-year-old’s rapid progression--from Belarus U18, to the USHL, to NCAA in three years--and his raw potential intrigued the Blackhawks. Levshunov impressed this season and earned himself an 18-game call-up to Chicago. He will certainly start next season in the Hawks’ top six defense group. 

By selecting Levshunov, Davidson passed up on Ivan Demidov.

Despite many teams believing Demidov would not come over from Russia promptly, he joined Montreal for their playoff push and made his electrifying debut against none other than the Blackhawks.

Demidov’s pedigree and rookie KHL production (49 points in 60 games) have many believing he is a generational talent, and Davidson will be kicking himself if Levshunov does not become a franchise defenseman.

With the 18th pick, Davidson selected Sacha Boisvert.

The physical center racked up 18 goals and 32 points with the University of North Dakota last year and will likely be Boston University’s first-line center next season. The 19-year-old brings a different element than other Hawks prospects with his size and bite. 

If Davidson hadn’t picked Boisvert, Michael Hage probably would have been high on his list. Hage finished top-five in USHL scoring before Montreal selected him 21st overall. Last season, he notched 34 points in 33 games at the University of Michigan, and he will likely sign with the Canadiens next spring. 

Davidson traded back into the first round to select Marek Vanacker at 27th overall. Vanacker led the Brantford Bulldogs in scoring in his draft year but struggled with injuries this season and only recorded 42 points in 45 games. The 19-year-old will spend another season in the OHL before making the jump to pro hockey. 

The Hawks could have taken local product Cole Hutson with this pick, but he slipped into the second-round where Washington picked him at 43rd overall. The undersized defenseman tore up the NCAA this year to the tune of 48 points in 39 games. If Hutson’s potential is as large as his brother Lane’s, Davidson will regret passing on him.

Though Davidson may have passed up on some better talent at certain draft positions, I do not think Hawks fans would trade this alternate future for the one the team has now. Time will tell who were the best players from these three draft classes, and Davidson hopes he will be around long enough to see them pan out.