Chicago Blackhawks complete major signing that changes it all
The Chicago Blackhawks have made the monumental decision to lock down their 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The team announced that they had signed Artyom Levshunov to an entry-level contract, the deal announced will run to the 2026-2027 NHL season.
He'll compete for an NHL job in camp but he's likely headed to Rockford next season.
The contract will have an AAV of $975K and the Michigan State University defenseman, will not return to the NCAA, but opt to go pro next season.
As it's been stated by the Blackhawks AGM of Player Development Mark Eaton, Levshunov will head to the AHL and will not end up making the team out of training camp.
They want to oversee his development in the AHL and not rush what could be the team's #1 defenseman in the future.
Levshunov played 38 games in the NCAA last season, posting 35 points( 9 G, 26 A) and in 2022-2023 posted 42 points( 13 G, 29 A) in 62 games in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers.
Levshunov makde history as the highest-drafted Belarussian player in the NHL being selected 2nd OA by the Blackhawks organization.
Source: SI.comBlackhawks Sign Top Draft Pick to ELC
| POLL | ||
8 JUILLET | 127 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks complete major signing that changes it all Do you think Artyom Levshunov is the team's future #1 defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 107 | 84.3 % |
| No | 20 | 15.7 % |
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