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How the choice between Levshunov and Demidov will change the Chicago Blackhawks' future

I truly believe that the Blackhawks cannot go wrong with drafting either of these two players. That being said, it is also true that deciding between the two players may determine how the Hawks go forward with roster construction, salary cap management and hockey-philosophy.

By Kyle Bokota |
SKA Hockey Club player, Ivan Demidov (11) seen in action...
SKA Hockey Club player, Ivan Demidov (11) seen in action... / SOPA Images/GettyImages
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It is easy to look at the NHL draft in a vacuum. You can scout the players, determine your rough hierarchy of their talent or NHL potential, and ultimately make your pick with an eye on simply improving the roster.

However, NHL General managers are paid the "big bucks" to look at the draft in multiple dimensions.

Kyle Davidson must keep his eyes trained on the present while considering the team's future. In the upcoming NHL Draft, Davidson can pick between two exceptional players at second overall.

Ivan Demidov is a dynamic offensive forward who has drawn comparisons to Nikita Kucherov for his hockey sense and playmaking. Artyom Levshunov is an excellent skater who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defenseman that so many teams covet.

This choice isn't only a choice between two players at two different positions. It is a choice of which free agents the Blackhawks will target in the next few seasons to add to their young core. Depending on which player the Hawks draft, the strategy for the next few off-seasons will change dramatically.

If the Blackhawks draft Demidov...

This would immediately give clarity to the haziness around the future of Connor Bedard's wing. If Demidov is the pick, we can safely pencil in that the Hawks envision him as the long-term partner to Bedard.

This would be an excellent 1-2 punch on offense and I believe that in a few seasons, these two players could even have the effect that other great duos are having in the league today. (Think McDavid and Draisaitl... yes that is how good Demidov can be.)

This would also mean that there would be less pressure to add a truly exceptional offensive talent through free agency. Rather the Blackhawks could spend their money on veteran scoring depth and defense, and allow the young players up front to develop into the team's primary source of offense.

It would likely also mean that the Hawks project Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore to play on the second or third line rather than the first.

This choice however will also leave the future of the Hawks defense relatively unchanged. Depending on your opinion of Kevin Korchinski, Wyatt Kaiser, Nolan Allen and Ethan Del Mastro that may be fine. However, if you still feel that out of that group the Hawks need a true, undisputed number one defenseman, the Blackhawks will need to acquire that type of player either in a trade of via free agency.

If the Blackhawks Draft Levshunov...

This would indicate that the Blackhawks either A) see Kevin Korchinski more as an elite second defenseman and Vlasic as an elite third defenseman. Or B) That the Hawks are looking ahead to the next summer's free agent class and that they will attempt to land a truly elite forward there.

Drafting Levshunov would give the Hawks their number one defenseman, and a dynamic puck mover on the right side.

It is a coveted asset to have these days and I wouldn't blame Kyle Davidson for seeing Levshunov as the type of prospect you just can't pass up. I think however that this choice would be less about the Hawks loving Levshunov, and more about them loving the players that will be available in the next few free-agency classes.

Here are a few of the forwards who will hit unrestricted free agency in 2025...

Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby, Jamie Benn, Mikko Rantanen, Leon Draisaitl, Brock Boeser, and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Those are truly elite targets for the Blackhawks to pursue in free agency as soon as next offseason.

The availability of players of that quality may decide to draft Levshunov the right one. If you pick Levshunov, you will only need to wait one more year with Bedard playing alongside a (hopefully) healthy Taylor Hall and Philip Kurahsev before the Hawks could feasibly land a player like Mikko Rantanen or Nikolaj Ehlers to be Bedard's long term running mate.

It also seems that the Blackhawks defensive prospects are a bit further along in their development than the forwards, as players like Korchinski and Vlasic are already full time NHLers while Frank Nazar is just beginning to see NHL games. Therefore, it may make more sense to add Levshunov now as the final piece to the young D-core, and then use free agency to add an elite veteran forward to truly accelerate the rebuild.

There is no wrong decision to be made between these two exceptional talents, but choosing one or the other will certainly change how the Blackhawks approach the next few seasons as they attempt to build a Stanley Cup champion.

If it were me, I think I would still lean slightly toward Demidov, as I just see him as a prospect who can be a cornerstone of the future offense alongside Bedard. However, based on the evidence available, it would seem that the Hawks may be leaning towards Levshunov.

As I theorized in this article that may mean that in July of 2025, when free agency opens, the Hawks will sign an elite forward to propel the team into the next phase of the rebuild. This coming draft will tell us a great deal about who the Hawks are today, and who they will want to be in the years ahead.

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