Prospect Info: 2024 2nd Overall - Artyom Levshunov

[TLEH]

I literally did not want Levshunov and still will not sit here and tell you he doesn't have elite tools. If anything that was his biggest calling card. His size and skating combo are definitely elite. His breakout pass was very elite in college. His ability to transport the puck up the ice was elite.

His question marks were compete level and consistency and he's definitely improved on that in the AHL this year to the point where I'm excited about what he could be.

 

[Dead Meat]

Interesting tidbit..I have a buddy that played/coached/scouted at a high level and is a season ticket holder in Rockford. I asked him about Levshunov and he said "he is a goalies nightmare"...I replied that I didn't know he was that impressive offensively and he says "No, he is your own teams goalie nightmare...turns pucks over...not physical...out of position...no clue what he is doing out there...massive defensive liability....not close to being ready for NHL."

Take that for what its worth.

Your buddy took one too many pucks to the head.

 

[MHO]

I'm still deciding if he's a bigger Cale Makar or a faster Brent Seabrook. Ivan who?

All kidding aside, that was awesome last night.

 

[Pez68]

What am I even reading here? And the list grows....

 

[vegarover]

Not really.

A true bust is someone who doesn't become an NHL regular.

Yakupov, for example.

To be fair, Yak played 6 seasons in the NHL. He was an NHL regular. The only problem was that he was regularly bad.

 

[Kevin Musto]

To be fair, Yak played 6 seasons in the NHL. He was an NHL regular. The only problem was that he was regularly bad.

He only played 6 seasons because he was a 1st overall pick that kept getting second chances

 

[Hawkey]

Hi looked really good in a really tough game. Initially I didn’t like that this was his first game. Avs are good, fast team, on the road and in Denver (high altitude). He didn’t look out of place.

The raw skill and size are evident. What I really liked is that he didn’t play with hesitation, he was involved in both ends. I also liked that he wasn’t afraid to use his size. If this his style and play and motor, he will be good.

 

[WarriorofTime]

He only played 6 seasons because he was a 1st overall pick that kept getting second chances

I think Yakupov was worth both a bridge and a "what the heck" no risk league minimum. He flashed a bit early then but lost all confidence and never developed a good enough well-rounded game to be a bottom six guy. Without the practicalities that being Russian meant KHL offer is competitive with any NHL league minimum, he probably might have eeked out a Daigle like NHL career (who had one other decent season with the Jacques Lemaire Wild in his veteran days after having fallen out of the League previously).

Either way, the higher the draft capital, the more just hanging onto a depth role does not save a player from being a "bust".

 

[ColbyChaos]

I think Yakupov was worth both a bridge and a "what the heck" no risk league minimum. He flashed a bit early then but lost all confidence and never developed a good enough well-rounded game to be a bottom six guy. Without the practicalities that being Russian meant KHL offer is competitive with any NHL league minimum, he probably might have eeked out a Daigle like NHL career (who had one other decent season with the Jacques Lemaire Wild in his veteran days after having fallen out of the League previously).

Either way, the higher the draft capital, the more just hanging onto a depth role does not save a player from being a "bust".

I still remember one of the seasons he was actually playing good then during a gameTim Peele was lost his balance while falling over and grabbed Yak. Yak is brought down to ice and missed a significant time from that.

 

[TheFridge]

I still remember one of the seasons he was actually playing good then during a gameTim Peele was lost his balance while falling over and grabbed Yak. Yak is brought down to ice and missed a significant time from that.

Yakupov had no ability to slow the game down. I watched him a ton in his draft year thanks to Ludvig Rensfeldt playing for the Sting. He just wanted to beat you with his speed all the time and shoot off the rush. I never liked his hockey sense.

 

[jaysoneil]

Enough of the Yak yap.

Lev played awesome last night for a 19 year old D vs that Avs team.

 

[dj Mahoney]

Mark Eaton described him as a larger version of Charlie McAvoy.

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[OldScool]

Lev played a very sound game. Glad to see it. Hopefully he continues to improve.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Lev played a very sound game. Glad to see it. Hopefully he continues to improve.

Would you say he's well on his way to hitting your extremely high expectations of him being a 3rd pairing (or bottom 6) NHLer?