Prospect Info: 2024 2nd Overall - Artyom Levshunov

[Toews2Bickell]

It kind of feels like because of Lev and the defensive crop as a whole that it is setting up for KK to be the odd man out via trade at some point.

this staff's first pick though

 

[GIADF]

this staff's first pick though

While true, we are also approaching nearly 3 years since that draft took place and a lot has changed since then.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

While true, we are also approaching nearly 3 years since that draft took place and a lot has changed since then.

might come down to if they get schaefer then kk possibly hits the block for a forward and if not he stays, by all accounts he has progressed this year in rockford

 

[GIADF]

might come down to if they get schaefer then kk possibly hits the block for a forward and if not he stays, by all accounts he has progressed this year in rockford

Yeah, that would be my guess as well. Getting Schaefer is almost a fear of mine at this point because of lack of forward depth.

While obviously it would be great to get him, that just makes a tricky situation that much trickier.

 

[bwanajamba]

I don't think there's any reason to think Demidov will be any better than Michkov in his first season and that ain't 70 points.

He's a better athlete, will play in a more offense-friendly system and will have more talent around him than Michkov does as a rookie. Idk about 70 points but I would go as far as saying it's likely he will have an easier time adjusting to the NHL even if Michkov proves to be better in the long run

 

[BHawk21]

These Habs fans are NUTS with Demidov. They are saying the worst hes gunna be is Kyle Connor.

 

[GIADF]

These Habs fans are NUTS

Could have just stopped here.

They are saying the worst hes gunna be is Kyle Connor.

I've always thought Kyle Connor was super underrated. Doesn't get the Canadian bias being an American and plays in Winnipeg.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

He's a better athlete, will play in a more offense-friendly system and will have more talent around him than Michkov does as a rookie. Idk about 70 points but I would go as far as saying it's likely he will have an easier time adjusting to the NHL even if Michkov proves to be better in the long run

Do you know how rare it is to be a 70 point player in your first year? Only the very best do it. Bedard and Mcdavid were on pace but got halted due to injury and Celebrini same thing.

Every other rookie almost always has a 20 game streak where very little scoring is done and they struggle badly. The nhl hard.

But tell me, who of Caufield, Suzuki or Laine is he immediately booting off PP1? Because he’s not playing bumper.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Brian Rafalski made a boatload of cash because he could get a wrister on net through traffic.

Chelios was a master of this too

Al Iafrate was an Allstar on his shot alone

Sure as hell wasn't his defense

I remember when NHL2Night came on air the only time you saw Iafrate was either a horrible play defensively or an amazing shot

He was pretty much done at that point playing for Sharks though because of his back

I miss NHL2Night. Used to watch it all the time as kid on ESPN2 along with NHL West Coast games (Having TV in room with cable as kid was awesome at time, now kids today dont even watch TV)

 

[bwanajamba]

Do you know how rare it is to be a 70 point player in your first year? Only the very best do it. Bedard and Mcdavid were on pace but got halted due to injury and Celebrini same thing.

Every other rookie almost always has a 20 game streak where very little scoring is done and they struggle badly. The nhl hard.

But tell me, who of Caufield, Suzuki or Laine is he immediately booting off PP1? Because he’s not playing bumper.

Maybe I should have bolded the part where I said I wasn't sure about 70 points? The entire substance of my post is in response to the post I quoted saying that they didn't think he would have a better rookie season than Michkov

 

[kmwtrucks]

He's a better athlete, will play in a more offense-friendly system and will have more talent around him than Michkov does as a rookie. Idk about 70 points but I would go as far as saying it's likely he will have an easier time adjusting to the NHL even if Michkov proves to be better in the long run

michov is on pace for Mid 50's and he did 2.71 P60 in his KHL + 1 Demidov is at 4 per 60, he is bigger faster better defensively so he is going to play big minutes next year. IMO

 

[GIADF]

michov is on pace for Mid 50's and he did 2.71 P60 in his KHL + 1 Demidov is at 4 per 60, he is bigger faster better defensively so he is going to play big minutes next year. IMO

Michkov is on pace for 52 to be exact, over 79 games, on a much better roster and with much better coaches than what Bedard had last year.

Yet Bedard still managed to score 9 more points than what Michkov is on pace for and in 11 less games. I remember people trying to say they're on comparable levels skill wise, but I ain't buying it.

 

[HawksDub89]

Most of my reservations around the draft were because I didn't like the compete, wasn't consistent, and his play was very erratic. He'd have shift after shift, even full games where he just wouldn't compete hard enough, be lazy in the corners, and make sloppy breakout passes. I still feel like that's on his AHL tape too, but the compete has been a little better, certainly since college.

He's always been really toolsy and those jump off the screen on plays. I still don't think the offense is dynamic and I think he'll end up being a good player but I don't think like his hockey brain is elite and he's gonna turn into Drew Doughty or something.

Elite prospects does thorough game reports for most of these top draft prospects.

The reports on Lev pretty much validate what you’re saying. I remember reading one where the quote was “if you catch Levshunov on the right night you might convince yourself he’s the best D prospects of the last half decade”

Plenty that were questioning his decision making but a lot that were glowing too.

I do think the decision making has improved this season.

 

[kmwtrucks]

that is a strong shift. if he can play like that consistently I will be fine.

 

[Putt Pirate]

I am an Arty fan boy not gonna lie. I was all in on Dem but this kid looks like a PP QB, strong on puck, long ass reach too. I like how he jumps into the offense which is what D do now in todays NHL. He just needs to learn a little positioning and some better coaching to get him to a #1/2.

 

[BHawk21]

that is a strong shift. if he can play like that consistently I will be fine.

if he can play like that consistently he will be a top 5 defenseman in the league. That was impressive!

 

[MHO]

Anyone know if there are any NHL quality Belarussian free agents out there for next year?

 

[kmwtrucks]

vladislav kolachonok could be a option he was waived and picked up on monday by pitt 6-2 23 year old LD

 

[belfour30]

I was team Demidov simply for the idea of "where are the goals coming from?" but I really liked Levshunov.
For me, no matter who they picked they couldn't go wrong.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Al Iafrate was an Allstar on his shot alone

Sure as hell wasn't his defense

I remember when NHL2Night came on air the only time you saw Iafrate was either a horrible play defensively or an amazing shot

He was pretty much done at that point playing for Sharks though because of his back

I miss NHL2Night. Used to watch it all the time as kid on ESPN2 along with NHL West Coast games (Having TV in room with cable as kid was awesome at time, now kids today dont even watch TV)

Iafrate was a bomber. Lev's shot is very different. The Chelios comp doesn't work me much either.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Anyone know if there are any NHL quality Belarussian free agents out there for next year?

There aren't that many guys from Belarus in NHL/AHL.

NHL:
1) A. Protas (one of best contract in NHL, Washington ain't trading him unless a superstar came the other way)
2) Sharanagovich (just extended for 5 years with Calgary beginning this upcoming season)
3) Kolyachonok (recently claimed off waivers from Utah by Pittsburgh... Hawks definitely did not need another young breaking into NHL LHD)
4) Kolosov (Flyers 3rd goalie, split between NHL/AHL this year)

AHL:
1) Solovyov (24 year old tweener, could have NHL future, passed through waivers earlier, another young LHD)
2) Levshunov (player in question)
3) Klimovitch (22 year old former 2nd round pick, prospect in year 2 of ELC)
4) Sidorov (20 year old former 3rd round pick, prospect in year 1 of ELC)
5) Kuzmin (Hawks acquired already, 21 year old former 3rd round pick LHD prospect in year 2 of ELC)
6) Tolopilo (24 year old goalie prospect in year 2/2 of ELC as a formerly undrafted Free Agent)

A few other prospects hanging around Junior (the other Protas brother looks good) or the KHL at the moment, some of which will likely make their way over at some point.