Without mentioning the player by name, Blackhawks general manager said there's no reason not to draft a Russian forward like Ivan Demidov. That doesn't mean the Blackhawks will take the dynamic forward Demidov, billed as the "next Nikita Kucherov" with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Russian prospect Ivan Demidov [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2NjI5NzYwNzI0Mzc4ODI4/screenshot-2024-05-23-at-120349am.png] Russian prospect Ivan Demidov For the record, Davidson says Chicago will select the best player available on its eventual draft board, regardless of position. All we know is that won't be Macklin Celebrini, who will go to the San Jose Sharks with the No. 1 pick. Prospect-wise, the Blackhawks are deep on defensemen with Wyatt Kaiser, Ethan Del Mastro and Nolan Allan ready to graduate from the AHL to full-time NHL jobs. Sam Rinzel will be next up from the University of Minnesota in a couple of years. Still, Davidson and his staff may not shy away from the likes of Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State and Zeev Buium of the University of Denver. See Davidson in the following video. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says team will take best player available on board in 2024 NHL Draft because Chicago has depth among defenseman and forward prospects. BETTER OFF WITH DEMIDOV? A player like 5-foot-11 Demidov, however, would seem to be closer to what the Blackhawks need to deepen high-end skill up front around Connor Bedard as their rebuild continues. Demidov is considered an elite, quick offensive talent and a crafty playmaker. He doesn't have burner speed, but he's shifty and can slither through traffic with great hands and vision of the ice. Demidov's video clips from Russia's top junior league, the MHL, last season are impressive and fun to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0YWM661i0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0YWM661i0] Demidov also played a few games with St. Petersburg of the KHL, where he's still under contract for a year. In a 10-game span in the MHL from Dec. 23, 2023 to Jan. 24, 2024 he scored 11 goals and 16 assists, and was a plus-22. Overall, Demidov dominated at the junior level and put up better numbers than Tampa Bay's Kucherov did when he was Demidov's age, with 23 goals and 60 points in 30 games. Demidov has been nursing a knee injury, but Davidson said "I don't think it's any concern at all." Neither is that Demidov's from Russia, where it can be more difficult to to scout and extricate players. "As far as the player being from Russia, it's so case-by-case and every player is different," Davidson said. "Just like, you know, a North American or a non-Russian European. There's reasons why, you know, someone may or may not be on the board. "If you feel comfortable, they're treated just like any other player," he added. "There's obviously some dynamics you have to weigh when it comes to players with contracts overseas, but I don't necessarily see too many of those questions in this draft as we stand here now." See video. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson on drafting a Russian, like Ivan Demidov The Blackhawks are still sorting out all the facts and potential upsides — and problems — with top prospects. Davidson admitted there can be more confidence and comfort in selecting a player he and his staff can regularly watch in games. That was never easy with Russians and is tougher now under current political circumstances. "But we trust our scout (Anatoly Semenov) in Russia," Davidson said. "He does really good work and then you know what, there's also the video that you can rely on." Semenov recommended forward Roman Kantserov last year, and Chicago drafted the up-and-coming winger in the second round, 44th overall in 2023. "Of course you'd love to see them in person, but I think the process we ran with Roman last year year felt thorough enough that we took him and I wouldn't expect that to change with any player this year." See video. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson trusts team's scout in Russia. Whoever they select, the Blackhawks, won't get another NHL-ready 18-year-old as they did with Connor Bedard last June. But with the No. 2 pick in 2024, "there's going to be a huge reward," Davidson said. "It's going to be a foundational piece"
