With the second overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov. This was after the 6-foot-2 defenseman put together a strong freshman season at Michigan State University, posting nine goals, 26 assists, 35 points, and a plus-27 rating in 38 games.
Shortly after being drafted by the Blackhawks, Levshunov signed his three-year, entry-level contract to start his professional career. The top prospect spent most of this past season in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, where he recorded five goals and 22 points in 52 games. He also played in his first 18 NHL games with the Blackhawks in 2024-25, recording six assists, 19 hits, and 20 blocks in 18 contests.
Overall, Levshunov showed plenty of promise as a 19-year-old defenseman playing against professional talent in 2024-25. Now that he has gained some experience, he is undoubtedly a prime breakout candidate for the Blackhawks heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Levshunov has the tools to emerge as a legitimate top-pairing defenseman, and it would not be surprising in the slightest if he took a massive step forward in his development next season because of it. When looking at the Blackhawks' current roster, there is a good chance that he will be a regular in their lineup, so he should be put into a position to succeed.
Overall, with the all-around talent that Levshunov has, he is undoubtedly a player to watch very closely next season. It will be fascinating to see what kind of campaign he puts together in 2025-26 from here.
Blackhawks Have Intriguing Free Agent Target To Consider
It is fair to argue that the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks">Chicago Blackhawks</a>' current roster could use more secondary scoring before the start of the season. When looking at the unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who are left on the market, one intriguing option who stands out is forward Victor Olofsson.
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