Various hockey minds are on board with Michigan State's Artyom Levshunov going to Chicago at No.2 while others believe it's Russian blueliner Ivan Demidov
The Blackhawks decision at 2nd overall is one that many insiders haven't been able to figure out just yet. When chatting with Hockey News' junior hockey insiders, Mathieu Sheridan and Jared Brown, they seemed fairly confident the pick would be freshman defenceman from Michigan State, Artyom Levshunov.
"It sounds like Chicago will be taking right-shot defenseman Artyom Levshunov with all signs are pointing towards that," Brown said "He had dinner with the Blackhawks organization at the NHL Draft Combine, which teams will only do if they are very interested in drafting that player."
He went on to note that the Blackhawks will want to add a future cornerstone player for the franchise with this pick. Sheridan echoed the same theme, saying Levshunov's two-way ability makes him a solid pick for 2nd overall.
"I think for Chicago, a guy like Artyom Levshunov makes sense," he said "Besides his ability to make plays at both ends of the ice, there has been talk that he is a guy that the Blackhawks are considering with the #2 pick."
This is reflected in the betting odds with Levshunov being a massive favourite to go second overall at -450 odds. TSN's Bob McKenzie is known as one of the most knowledgeable insiders for junior hockey and in his last prospect rankings before the draft, he had blueliner Ivan Demidov going second. The 18-year-old Russian is listed at +250 odds to go to Chicago despite not being able to participate in any international play due to various sanctions against Russia due to its attack of Ukraine.
"In the case of Demidov, he is, in the eyes of our scouting panel, the clear consensus No. 2 choice behind Celebrini," McKenzie said in his prospect rankings "Six of the ten scouts surveyed had him at No. 2. All ten had him in their top five."
Demidov has been scouted by NHL teams before and very well could go at No.2 due to his impressive play with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg in the Molodyozhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga (Junior Hockey League).
He lead the team in points with 23 goals and 37 assists for 60 points in just 30 games. The Blackhawks could opt to add another weapon to Bedard's wing and take the time to wait for him to develop while the team continues to rebuild. He is listed at a great value at +250 and is being highly-recommend at No.2 by one of the best hockey minds in the sport.