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Evaluating the Chicago Blackhawks options for the No. 2 overall pick between Levshunov or Demidov

By Ethan Gawronski |
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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As the 2024 NHL Entry Draft approaches, many will continue to debate over where each player is going to get selected.

The Chicago Blackhawks might just have more to consider than any other team with the second-overall pick, their second consecutive season with a top-three selection. After winning the Macklin Celebrini sweepstakes, the San Jose Sharks will make the easiest selection in the draft, as the centerman from Boston University is the consensus top player available. The Blackhawks were in the same position last year when they selected Connor Bedard first overall, with there being no debate of any other player rising above Bedard in the draft rankings.

This year will be very different for the Blackhawks, as there is no clear-cut second-best player in the draft. They will have their pick of any player not named Celebrini, giving them a lot to think about ahead of the draft beginning on June 28th.

The Blackhawks are going to be able to draft yet another franchise pillar with their upcoming second-overall pick. Kyle Davidson has built a very strong pool of young players in his short time with the Blackhawks, headlined by Connor Bedard.

The team is starting to reach a point in their rebuild where young players are transitioning to professional hockey, whether that is in the NHL with the Blackhawks or the Rockford IceHogs (AHL). Players such as Alex Vlasic, Kevin Korchinski, and Lukas Reichel all played in their rookie seasons alongside Bedard, but other prospects like Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert will be fighting for a roster spot out of camp next season.

Davidson made is clear at the end of the season that the time has come for the Blackhawks to take a step forward in their rebuild and start to improve. With that being the mindset, this second overall pick becomes more important as the team likely will not be picking this high again next year.

Despite having two selections in the first round both in this draft and the 2025 draft, their upcoming selection will allow them to address a need for the future in a massive way. The belief is that their choice will come down to SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) forward Ivan Demidov or Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov.

Either player will make for a great selection, but let's take a closer look at which of these players could be the next franchise icon for the Blackhawks.

Ivan Demidov

Going into the 2024 Draft, many consider Ivan Demidov to be the most skilled forward the class has to offer. He has lethal offensive capabilities which was apparent this season in the Russian junior leagues (MHL). Demidov's 60 points in 30 games for SKA-1946 St. Petersburg showed just how dangerous he is when the puck is on his stick. His playoff performance also speaks for itself, with 28 points in 17 playoff games, Demidov proved this season that he is a potential game-breaker.

Demidov's puck skills and awareness are his biggest strengths and always have been. He is a patient player who knows how to create space for himself and his teammates. Demidov thinks the game at a very high level which is why he dominated the Russian junior league this season. His shot is not the strongest in the draft, but he is a very accurate shooter who knows exactly where he wants to place the puck.

One area Demidov can improve upon is his defensive game. While it is not as weak as some may think, there is room for him to develop it further. He is very active in the defensive zone which shows potential for him to have a stronger two-way game in the future.

Demidov did not get much playing time when called up to SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, which is usually the case for a teenager in that league. He will spend another season in Russia where he is expected to play in the KHL full-time before making the jump to North America. Though many are skeptical if he will come over to the NHL, the Blackhawks don't seem to be worried.

Demidov projects as a first-line winger in the NHL and a potential star forward. If the Blackhawks select him with their pick, he could be the right-hand man to Connor Bedard for years to come. The team doesn't have a prospect with the offensive ceiling as Demidov, and adding a player like him could give them another star for the future.

Artyom Levshunov

Artyom Levshunov is the top defenseman in the draft, and rightfully so. The Belarus native played his first North American season with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL last season before emerging as a top defenseman at Michigan State (NCAA) as a freshman.

The 6-foot-2 defenseman tallied 35 points in 38 NCAA games with Michigan State, surpassing draft-year numbers of many talented NHL defensemen such as Quinn Hughes. He is a strong skating defender who keeps improving his overall defensive game. Levshunov is also a very smart defender who knows when to join the rush on offense, often leading to quality scoring chances for his team.

Levshunov's defensive game was seen a quite shaky when he played in the USHL, but he showed this year in the NCAA that he is capable of shutting down opposing team's top players. His two-way game is what makes him such an intriguing option for the Blackhawks. He plays a very poised game for someone his size which has led to him earning the trust of his coaches.

He also is a right handed defenseman, which the Blackhawks do not have many of in their system. While the Blackhawks do have a lot of young defensemen in their prospect pool, they don't have one with the potential of Levshunov. His combination of size and skill, along with his quick adaptability, makes him a strong candidate to be the Blackhawks premiere defenseman of the future.

Levshunov will likely play one more season in college before making the jump to the NHL, but his arrival in Chicago would be much anticipated.

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