Two Chicago Blackhawks prospects were invited to the NHLPA Rookie Showcase

The Chicago Blackhawks had two of their top prospects invited to a prestigous rookie showcase.

This year's No. 2 overall pick, Artyom Levshunov, and Frank Nazar, the second of the Hawks' three first-round choices in 2022, were selected to participate.

The event allows Upper Deck to take photos and videos for rookie trading cards. It is also the players' association acknowledging a group of players with star potential.

Levshunov and Nazar are likely to start the season in Rockford.

It would be great to see these two exciting youngsters debut on opening night. Levshunov still could use some time to develop his game in the AHL.

It is a tall ask to go from Michigan State to trying to stop Connor McDavid from scoring and helping Connor Bedard score goals.

The Blackhawks front office loves to be patient with the development of their blue liners.

Nazar is destined to be the team's second-line center for years to come. The problem is the Blackhawks have plenty of veteran forwards that will force Nazar to start the season with the Rockford IceHogs.

Fans would love to at least see Nazar start the season with the Blackhawks, especially since he dazzled in his NHL debut as he scored a goal. He could use some time in the AHL as well to work on cementing his status as the club's long-term second center.

Levshunov is widely considered the Hawks' top prospect. Rightfully so considering he was selected No. 2 overall. Hopefully, this will be the last time in a long time that the Blackhawks will be drafting that high in the draft. The Hawks passed on forward Ivan Demidov who could have formed a potent scoring duo with Bedard for years to come.

Instead, the Blackhawks went with a defenseman capable of being a foundational player on the blue line like Duncan Keith was during those Stanley Cup runs.

Being invited to this showcase hopefully is a minor footnote in a long list of accomplishments in Levshunov's and Nazar's careers.