Transaction: Prospect reveals the Blackhawks are selecting him 2nd overall

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Joshua Deeds
June 6, 2024 (4:08 PM)

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The NHL entry draft is upon us, along with the Combine set to take place in Buffalo.

The combine will allow teams to discern a players capabilities, athleticism and will of course let them get to know potential draftees.

This will occur as interviews take place June 3rd to 8th, and the Blackhawks apparently have their eyes on one defenseman, Artyom Levshunov.

According to Levshunov he and the Blackhawks have been in touch regularly this year.

Per
@Antho_Martineau
interview with Artyom Levshunov:

He feels significant interest from Chicago, who have met with him several times this year.

Also adds that the combine will be the first time he's met with the Habs. Something tells me MTL doesn't think he'll be an option..

The Blackhawks have prioritized contact with Levshunov, which suggests he could be selected in the top 20 during the draft, as the Hawks have the #2 and #18th picks overall in the 1st round.

Levshunov is considered the top-right handed defenseman at the draft, so he is coveted already, by many teams.

Levshunov had a spectacular season with the Michigan State Spartans, posting 35 points( 9 G, 26 A) in 38 games.

The Athletic's Corey Pronman projects Levshunov to be the Blackhawks' 2nd overselection in the draft.

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA (BIG10))
This may be the biggest decision point in the draft. Most NHL sources believe Levshunov, Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom (with a clean bill of health) and Anton Silayev are the likeliest top-five picks. If it's down to Levshunov versus one of the players in Russia in Ivan Demidov or Anton Silayev, I think a lot of NHL teams will lean toward the big defenseman they've seen live a bunch and who has played at a high level for two years, unless they think the Russian is clearly superior. I don't think the league views this case as one where those alternatives are clearly superior and for that reason, I'm projecting Levshunov to be the second pick. If Lindstrom gets great reviews at the NHL combine the picture could change a little as well.

So, could Levshunov be the team's answer for a two-way, right-handed defenseman for the future?

We'll soon find out.

Source: New York Times
NHL Mock Draft: Celebrini at No. 1 and Levshunov at No. 2 lead Corey Pronman's list