The Chicago Blackhawks will pick second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday, June 28 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini is expected to be taken first by the San Jose Sharks. After that, the Blackhawks will be able to select any prospect they like.
Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has said this player will become a "foundational piece" for his rebuilding team. See video:
It's looking more and more like that player will be either slick Russian forward Ivan Demidov or Artyom Levshunov, a big defenseman from Belarus who was impressive last season as a freshman at Michigan State.
Neither, however, will be able to make an immediate impact in the NHL as Connor Bedard did last season. Demidov has a KHL contract and is expected to skate next season with St. Petersburg. Levshunov could return to the Spartans for a second NCAA season, then move to the AHL as a minor pro.
So who should it be? Participate in our THN Blackhawks 2024 fan draft poll at https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/chicago-blackhawks/posts/RejGPZcacDInRflwDxSp. Go to the link and register, then vote and sound off on this and any of our Blackhawks stories or topics.
Blackhawks Conducting Due Diligence
Davidson, amateur scouting director Mike Doneghey, hockey operations advisor Brian Campbell have been at the Gold Star Hockey 2024 Pre-Draft Showcase in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this week to get to know Demidov better. Rated No. 2 in THN's Draft Preview, the winger has been compared to Tampa Bay star and Hart Trophy finalist Nikita Kucherov.
Problem: No one from the Blackhawks front office has actually seen Demidov in action, although he's been watched by Chicago's Russian scout, Anatoly Seminov.
Russian teams are banned from international tournaments because of their country's war against Ukraine. Given restrictions with travel to and from Vladmir Putin's authoritarian state, it's become almost impossible for NHL teams to scout Russian players and leagues in person. The players also weren't free to participate in the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, New York earlier this month.
Demidov also has been dealing with knee and ankle injuries over the past season. See story at:
Levshunov also as been at the Gold Star camp. Like Davidov, he's represented by agent Ron Milstein.
But there are no mysteries when it comes to the personable 6-foot-2, 208-pound defenseman. He had a terrific freshman season with Michigan State for all to see and scout.
Levshunov also participated at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, New York earlier this month. See story at: