2024 NHL Draft Thread Part 2 - Picks 2 & 18 in the 1st Round

[Kevin Musto]

This is a tough draft. Seems like this board is pretty sold on the Demidov train but I could see the Hawks going with a number of guys at #2 and personally it feels like Levshunov is likely going to be the pick. They don't have any RHD in the system that project as quality NHLers outside of Rinzel. Both Jones and Murphy will be on the wrong side of 30 this fall. You need a quality defense to contend and it's much easier to find top-6 talent than top-pairing talent. I don't think the gap between Demidov and Levshunov is large enough to take away from Levshunov playing a premium position.

I think they can move from 18 to 10. They have the assets to make it happen.

Which means Carter Yakemchuk is a possibility for filling the drought of RHD. There's really not much separating him from Levhsunov either.

So Demidov + Yakemchuk is a realistic outcome for the Blackhawks imo.

 

[TheFridge]

If the Hawks could walk away with Demidov and Yakemchuk, I think that's a win. If they walk away with Levshunov and any of Iginla, Catton or Sennecke, I think that's a win too.

It's just going to be hard passing on the RHD without knowing whether or not you'll have that going forward. If CHI had a stud D prospect, it's a different story but they really don't have one. I like Korchinski but I've never watched him thinking he's going to be "the guy" for a team. He looks like a piece, a good player, but not a foundational all-situations D that you need to win.

 

[clydesdale line]

If the Hawks could walk away with Demidov and Yakemchuk, I think that's a win. If they walk away with Levshunov and any of Iginla, Catton or Sennecke, I think that's a win too.

100% agree. I'll be very happy with either outcome.

 

[Kevin Musto]

It's just going to be hard passing on the RHD without knowing whether or not you'll have that going forward.

I get that.

But I don't think Levshunov is the best available player at #2.

I don't believe it's a good idea to take an inferior player just because he fills a need. And the Blackhawks shouldn't let positional need color their opinion of him.

 

[Darkstar]

I think they can move from 18 to 10. They have the assets to make it happen.

Which means Carter Yakemchuk is a possibility for filling the drought of RHD. There's really not much separating him from Levhsunov either.

So Demidov + Yakemchuk is a realistic outcome for the Blackhawks imo.

I think Yakemchuk has a higher ceiling, anyway. He does have some flaws, though.

 

[Drumman44]

I don't believe it's a good idea to take an inferior player just because he fills a need. And the Blackhawks shouldn't let positional need color their opinion of him.

100% this. Montreal is already having buyer’s remorse in Reinacher it seems. They could have drafted Michkov and set them up for a high quality D this draft had they not overthought it

 

[Kevin Musto]

100% this. Montreal is already having buyer’s remorse in Reinacher it seems. They could have drafted Michkov and set them up for a high quality D this draft had they not overthought it

It wasn't Michkov they should've drafted.

Leonard was BPA.

 

[kmwtrucks]

The top two defenders and next draft look to be RD. It feels like demidov floor is 70-80 wing AL. is 2nd paring RD. If all we end up with is a second pairing right D with number two pick it just feels like a miss. AL beats people with his size and strength. When he’s in the NHL in three years, that won’t be the case.

 

[Taze em]

The top two defenders and next draft look to be RD. It feels like demidov floor is 70-80 wing AL. is 2nd paring RD. If all we end up with is a second pairing right D with number two pick it just feels like a miss. AL beats people with his size and strength. When he’s in the NHL in three years, that won’t be the case.

Yea I mean if we just want to apply arbitrary floors to players. A decent, not exceptional skating super creative wing, with not so great size. Could be Kris Versteeg.

 

[Njfj]

I think they can move from 18 to 10. They have the assets to make it happen.

Which means Carter Yakemchuk is a possibility for filling the drought of RHD. There's really not much separating him from Levhsunov either.

So Demidov + Yakemchuk is a realistic outcome for the Blackhawks imo.

How to get to 10

 

[HawksDub89]

I get that.

But I don't think Levshunov is the best available player at #2.

I don't believe it's a good idea to take an inferior player just because he fills a need. And the Blackhawks shouldn't let positional need color their opinion of him.

I was listening to NHL network radio a couple Saturdays ago and they had a couple scouts/draft guys talking about creating a draft board.

They got into a debate about the difference between drafting need vs positional value.

Even if Levshunov isn’t better than Demidov, if he projects as a 2D is that more valuable than a 1LW?

To summarize, there are probably GMs who would take the big mobile 2D even if Demidov projects as a star winger. (And a better overall player)

Fwiw I agree you take the BPA, regardless of need

 

[TheFridge]

The top two defenders and next draft look to be RD. It feels like demidov floor is 70-80 wing AL. is 2nd paring RD. If all we end up with is a second pairing right D with number two pick it just feels like a miss. AL beats people with his size and strength. When he’s in the NHL in three years, that won’t be the case.

He doesn't really though. I'm sure it helps, but he doesn't rely on his size and strength. He pushes the pace of play all the time -- at times to his own detriment. He's overzealous at times jumping into the rush and attempting to make plays/get the puck up ice. His physicality likely shines through more at the college level than it will in the NHL but you're not drafting him for his physicality regardless.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Take Demidov 2nd and draft an RHD with one of the other picks. Doesn't have to be Yak (would be nice), but Jiricek could slip to 18 (assuming we don't move up again) due to his injury this year. He could be a nice middle pairing RHD. Could also grab a few big, defense first RHD's in the 2nd round.

And RHD is a position most organizations are weak at. Find a couple guys who aren't gonna f*** you over, and let that left side D carry the pairings. If KK booms and Vlasic remains steady, you can ice a pretty solid D core with middling RHDs.

 

[Kevin Musto]

RHD is a position most organizations are weak at.

This is true. There's maybe 20 good/great RHD in the league.

You can easily double that amount for LHD.

So while it would be a nice luxury to have, you're pretty much in the same boat with everyone else if you're missing it.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I was listening to NHL network radio a couple Saturdays ago and they had a couple scouts/draft guys talking about creating a draft board.

They got into a debate about the difference between drafting need vs positional value.

Even if Levshunov isn’t better than Demidov, if he projects as a 2D is that more valuable than a 1LW?

To summarize, there are probably GMs who would take the big mobile 2D even if Demidov projects as a star winger. (And a better overall player)

Fwiw I agree you take the BPA, regardless of need

It is an important distinction to make.

You do need to weigh the value of your picks.

It's true that a 2D that's right handed has more value around the league than a ppg 1st line winger.

You also have to think about what's more likely to happen.

Is Levshunov more likely to hit his ceiling than Demidov? (or Iginla, or Silayev, etc)

There's a very real chance Levshunov is "just" a second pairing RHD. And if that's the case, does he still have as much value as the ppg 1st line winger? It's less clear cut. At that point I think it depends on the team.

And that brings us back to the #2 conundrum where it's a list of like 10 names that are roughly on equal footing.

 

[dj Mahoney]

I think way too much is being made out of which hand a guy shoots . I'd sooner have an all star caliber player playing his off side than have a lesser player playing his strong side. Question how many great defenceman that shoot left play on the right?

 

[Darkstar]

I was curious so I looked at some of Demidov's last games of the season.

It's hard to know someone's exact height through this method, but I was looking at any time he was standing behind the bench, or celebrating a goal with teammates, etc.

In comparison to guys on his team listed at 5'10" and 5'11", he does appear to be taller than them. Looked slightly shorter than their captain who's listed at 6'3".

I think 6'0" or 6'1" is a fair assumption.

I think he'll measure around 6'05" and weigh nearly what Celebrini does. In a few years he could easily be over 200lbs.

 

[kmwtrucks]

athletic did another draft that was 3 person
Demidov went 2 (wheeler) AL went 3
Hage 17
Igor C 18 (bultman)
Jiricek 19 pronman. elicka and emory are not making it to 34 and badinka is 30% it feels.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

I was listening to NHL network radio a couple Saturdays ago and they had a couple scouts/draft guys talking about creating a draft board.

They got into a debate about the difference between drafting need vs positional value.

Even if Levshunov isn’t better than Demidov, if he projects as a 2D is that more valuable than a 1LW?

To summarize, there are probably GMs who would take the big mobile 2D even if Demidov projects as a star winger. (And a better overall player)

Fwiw I agree you take the BPA, regardless of need

IMO - the Hawks need difference makers. From what I've read - I'd have more confidence in Demidov being a difference maker - but that is why KD & team make the big money.

"Toolsy" players scare me, because I have flashbacks to guys I was really high on like Zach Bogosion who had all the measurables, but didn't think the game quick enough to be an impact player at the NHL level. I have more confidence in forwards who understand how to attack to create offense, because IMO they are more able to adapt when the level of play is higher. Of course - I fall into my biases where the players I like I think are more likely to reach their upside potential.

 

[dj Mahoney]

IMO - the Hawks need difference makers. From what I've read - I'd have more confidence in Demidov being a difference maker - but that is why KD & team make the big money.

"Toolsy" players scare me, because I have flashbacks to guys I was really high on like Zach Bogosion who had all the measurables, but didn't think the game quick enough to be an impact player at the NHL level. I have more confidence in forwards who understand how to attack to create offense, because IMO they are more able to adapt when the level of play is higher. Of course - I fall into my biases where the players I like I think are more likely to reach their upside potential.

40% (of scouting org/video's) seem to think Demidov is special and on another level while only 10% rate Demidov as good (Pronman ). Probably about 50% think he'll be very good . Davidson hopefully chooses correctly . Not that is has much relevance but Belarus has not produced any star status player yet. I've been to Minsk and to call it bizarre is an understatement .

 

[EddieTheEagle]

I think they can move from 18 to 10. They have the assets to make it happen.

Which means Carter Yakemchuk is a possibility for filling the drought of RHD. There's really not much separating him from Levhsunov either.

So Demidov + Yakemchuk is a realistic outcome for the Blackhawks imo.

Just when I think you and I are done, you make me fall in love with you all over again.

 

[dj Mahoney]

Just when I think you and I are done, you make me fall in love with you all over again.

View attachment 877434

lol

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Hopefully the trade up to #18 would signal Demidov being the #2 pick and a defenseman being the later pick (which may end up before #18 if KD keeps going.)

 

[kmwtrucks]

Hopefully the trade up to #18 would signal Demidov being the #2 pick and a defenseman being the later pick (which may end up before #18 if KD keeps going.)

that is going to be really tough to move up the only team that might be open is DET. maybe we take Justin holl and the 15th for 18th. anybody higher I just dont see them wanting to trade out of that spot. he is owed 3.4 mil for 2 more years and was scratched most of last season.

 

[u2wojo]

I

athletic did another draft that was 3 person
Demidov went 2 (wheeler) AL went 3
Hage 17
Igor C 18 (bultman)
Jiricek 19 pronman. elicka and emory are not making it to 34 and badinka is 30% it feels.

I would be pretty happy with Demidov & Jiricek. I would be even happier to trade back into the bottom of the top 10 and end up with Demidov and Yakemchuk (although this Athletic mock has him gone at 4 to Columbus). I would even do a Hershall Walker or Tanner Jeanott type trade where we trade virtually all of our other picks besides #2 to get back in the top 10 to end up with Demidov and Yakemchuck. If we want to replenshish 2nd, 3rd, or later round picks, I would imagine we have several cap dump deals on the table that we can pick between.