Fans seem intrigued by the possibility of Demidov, the "next Nikita Kucherov" joining forces with Connor Bedard, hockey's "next generational talent." The Blackhawks bosses might prefer a more sure-fire top prospect.
Fans seem intrigued by the possibility of Demidov, the "next Nikita Kucherov" joining forces with Connor Bedard, hockey's "next generational talent." The Blackhawks bosses might prefer a more sure-fire top prospect.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson and his staff tend to be detailed and deliberate. They haven't been "Russian" to a decision on which player to take with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Blackhawks fans seem to have made up their minds a little faster.
Per a poll at the THN Blackhawks Roundtable Forum, fans overwhelmingly think the team should select Ivan Demidov, a high-skilled forward from St. Petersburg, with the second overall slot in the draft on Friday night in Las Vegas. You can still vote at: https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/chicago-blackhawks/posts/RejGPZcacDInRflwDxSp
Fans prefer Demidov nearly 3-to-1 (73 to 27%) over Artyom Levshunov, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman from Belarus who starred as a freshman last season at Michigan State. But the "real-world" sentiment is that the personable Levshunov, his impressive skills and guaranteed availability may have won over the Blackhawks' front office.
Once Open Field Narrowed to Two
The San Jose Sharks are expected to select Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Blackhawks can choose anyone else and that decision appeared to narrow down to either Demidov or Levshunov over the past two weeks.
The Blackhawks did their due diligence and tried to get to know both players as well as they could. They met with Levshunov at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, New York earlier this month and both players at the Gold Star Hockey Showcase in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida last week.
Demidov has been called the "next Nikita Kucherov" and has been a crafty passer and playmaker in Russian junior leagues. He's under contract to play in 2024-25 for St. Petersburg of the KHL, his agent Ron Milstein confirmed.
Milstein represents both Demidov and Levshunov.
The biggest issue: It has been all-but impossible for NHL teams to send representatives to watch Russian players in game action over the past two seasons, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian teams also have been banned from international competition.
Still, Davidson said he has confidence in the Blackhawks Russia-based scout, Anatoly Seminov. See following video.
Another consideration: Demidov is recovering from knee and ankle injuries suffered last season.
But Blackhawks fans seem to like the idea of someone with the 6-foot-1 Demidov's slick, agile skill set joining Connor Bedard in the NHL. See the story at:
Levshunov, is the safer bet, however. He'd deepen Chicago's already rich pool of blue line prospects.
Levshunov had a terrific season as a top NCAA D-man with nine goals, 35-points, a plus-27 mark and major minutes at a big-time program at Michigan State. Like Celebrini, he was an elite collegiate player not just an elite freshman.
Even if Levshunov returned to the Spartans next season, monitoring his development would be easy. Then he'd likely sign a pro contract in the spring.
Levshunov, who turns 19 on Oct. 28, also would be eligible to sign as a pro earlier. There'd be no tension or uncertainty with the KHL or politics.