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

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.