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

[hawksrule]

Levshunov is 18 or 34?

 

[HawksDub89]

Have a bad gut feeling that Lev is the pick and we're going to sign him this summer

So dramatic lol

Some of you act like Levshunov is a reach. It’s not a f***ing tragedy if they take him.

 

[HawksDub89]

He's a great prospect, just not sure he's worth the 2nd overall pick, that's all. Feel he taps out as a Ekblad type, but hope I'm wrong if he's the guy.

I’ve seen a couple prospect guys drop Charlie McAvoy comps.

50-60 point Dman is what I could see him becoming.

 

[Mjul Qvist]

Levshunov is 18 or 34?

He is UFA right after ELC!

 

[Larmer83]

This thread needs krisbryant/justinfieldsisbest to drop his wisdom as to the player the Hawks select at #2.

Preceeded, of course, with "I'm calling it now".

 

[ndgt10]

Looking like it's Lev. Oh well, I wanted Demidov.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

This thread needs krisbryant/justinfieldsisbest to drop his wisdom as to the player the Hawks select at #2.

Preceeded, of course, with "I'm calling it now".

Levshunov

Calling it now

 

[Castle8130]

Levshunov is 18 or 34?

Pronman and Powers were discussing our choice at 2 and apparently they are lead to believe the Hawks are picking Levshunov. Levshunov had 3/10 Bob Mckenzie scouts put him at 2, but 5/10 scouts had him 5 or later. I'm more on the less optimistic side, but I'll get over it eventually. I wasn't a fan of the Oliver Moore pick last year and would prefer Demidov this year, but let's see how these guys do relative to the top guys that were available to us before any doubts about KD creep in

 

[Wally1112pac]

No one from within the organization is going to leak who they are going to pick.

The insiders are only speculating. They have no inside knowledge on this topic.

If any info was "leaked" to an insider it would be to throw the other teams off. But the other teams know this. They know how the game is played.

 

[hawksfan50]

If RD is the priority at #2 comvince me Levshunov will have more offensive impact including PP QB than Yakemchuk would..

I do not see it.

Lev's point shot from distance is good but tgere is less dynamism to hisxattack than all tgexwzys Yakemchuk uses...He is simply less "excitibg" ....maybe the rankers are leery of thecisks Yakemchuk takes and prefer a more conventional 2 way steady approach...

Iam still not sure why given the size alk the tools, equal if not better physicality ,certainly better puck handler ,certainly more electrical either needs to improve decision-making in neutrak zone,why Yakemchuk id not rated better for potential star dman than Lesvsnovv?

Defensively I am not sure Levshunov has the work ethic in the d-zone that Yakenchuk puts out...the only drawback on Yakemchuk I see is the occasionall lapse /poor decision i n the neutral zone where gao control goes off... Maybe they think Levshunov is a lot more reliable with such neutral zone decisions on closing off attacks..

But once in tgevo-zone,by far Yakemchuk is more dangerous and certainly the more dynamic player.

Maybe you coukdcsay Levshunov is more advanced defensively especialky in the neutral zone ...but otgerwisexI think Yakemchuk coukd have real star potebtial...Levshinov is more 50-60 certain floor so a more conservative bet ...but esoecoalky if hecqb's a Pp1,Yakemchuk has 80+points ceiling plus you still get size physicality work ethic and you hope he improves his defensive decision-making ?


I think Yachemchuk's celingbusxa 1RD star...I think Levshunov is a high 2RD with less impact if he isvonOo1 but useful in PK role ...nit sure Yakenchuk can be useful...yet..on PK...


So this isxwhy theyvusex"alk-round" 2 way dman for Levshunov...

But Yakemchuk has tge skating and physicality to be used in every role too..itbis just that he needs to improvevon sone defensive processing and deciion making...so maybectgey rank Lev higher because he is more polished moreadvanced to take axroke in thecshow sooner...maybe onkyv1 mirexseason from starting NHL 2RD role..

MaybectgeyvviewxYakemchuk asxax2-3yearcaway NHK 2RD with eventuaklyca staring 1D leader inoactvrole?

But maybe drafyingcasvhigh as #2you do not want to wait 3 more sesdobsvto inject such a high pick?

So you go the more conservative high floor route ratger than shoot for thevooos hoping Yakemchuk works on the parts of his ganectgatvneedvto improve if he ever can be ready to get to ekite ceiling?

 

[BHFAN92]

Apparently next draft is forward heavy, so probably there. And we still have a first we can upgrade from 18.

And if they might say f*** it and sign Guentzel. That’s guaranteed scoring for a few years.

Its kind of funny how people are acting like Demidov is a sure fire thing, but then act like he is coming over next season. If we draft a forward this yr or next yr they are on same time frame to play in NHL as Demidov is. I would argue Iginla, Catton, Sennecke, Lindstrom can provide the same level impact as Demidov

 

[kmwtrucks]

Its kind of funny how people are acting like Demidov is a sure fire thing, but then act like he is coming over next season. If we draft a forward this yr or next yr they are on same time frame to play in NHL as Demidov is. I would argue Iginla, Catton, Sennecke, Lindstrom can provide the same level impact as Demidov

but the top 2 rated D men projected in the top 8 are RD. take the BPA. IMO that is Demidov.

 

[kmwtrucks]

They also are not going to make any decesion until they at least meet Demidov in FL.

 

[Larmer83]

Its kind of funny how people are acting like Demidov is a sure fire thing, but then act like he is coming over next season. If we draft a forward this yr or next yr they are on same time frame to play in NHL as Demidov is. I would argue Iginla, Catton, Sennecke, Lindstrom can provide the same level impact as Demidov

The first bolded part is iffy since at this point in time there's not certainty in the Hawks draft position.

The second bolded part is possible. In this draft, it's possible that several or none of the top defensemen can provide the same level impact as Levshunov.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Levshunov is 18 or 34?

Meh split the difference and say he's a hard 26

 

[BHFAN92]

The first bolded part is iffy since at this point in time there's not certainty in the Hawks draft position.

The second bolded part is possible. In this draft, it's possible that several or none of the top defensemen can provide the same level impact as Levshunov.

I guess my biggest argument is people anointing Demidov as some hockey savant while not acknowledging the inferior level of talent he is facing. I am more worried about his size, lack of speed, and creating bad habits that wont translate to players who are much bigger and faster in NHL. I wont be pissed if Blackhawks take him but at this point I am more a play it safe and take the RHD Dman who has size/skills intangibles and playing at collegiate level against way higher competition, Move up from 18 and try and snag one of Catton, Iginla, Sennecke as the additional scoring punch

 

[Larmer83]

I guess my biggest argument is people anointing Demidov as some hockey savant while not acknowledging the inferior level of talent he is facing. I am more worried about his size, lack of speed, and creating bad habits that wont translate to players who are much bigger and faster in NHL. I wont be pissed if Blackhawks take him but at this point I am more a play it safe and take the RHD Dman who has size/skills intangibles and playing at collegiate level against way higher competition, Move up from 18 and try and snag one of Catton, Iginla, Sennecke as the additional scoring punch

Can’t say I disagree. Except I’d drop some in front of intangibles.

 

[TLEH]

Powers reporting today that he thinks it going to be Levshunov based on what he's heard and the resources the Hawks have invested into watching Michigan State.

 

[Drumman44]

Powers reporting today that he thinks it going to be Levshunov based on what he's heard and the resources the Hawks have invested into watching Michigan State.

Really surprised it's not Dickinson

 

[wladyslaw]

Levshunov is 18 or 34?

Nickname--Benjamin Button... 40 going on 16...
His photo is as confusing as the #2 pick.... Is he going to retire early due to pre-mature aging??? OR is he gonna grow another 2 inches and 25 lbs due to --he looks like he is a 15 year old ???

Very confused

I go Demidov!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hawkaholic]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799149543109566715

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799150034312896912

 

[Castle8130]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799149543109566715

There's still hope!!

 

[x Tame Impala]

If Levshunov is the guy they like then I’ll trust they made the right decision. He was nominated for a bunch of NCAA awards this year like “player of the year” “defensive player of the year” and I think “rookie of the year” too. Moved up a level 3 years in a row. 6’2” and can skate well.

My combined < 60 minutes spent watching his highlights isn’t enough for me to have an opinion one way or the other.

 

[Hawkaholic]

If Levshunov is the guy they like then I’ll trust they made the right decision. He was nominated for a bunch of NCAA awards this year like “player of the year” “defensive player of the year” and I think “rookie of the year” too. Moved up a level 3 years in a row. 6’2” and can skate well.

My combined < 60 minutes spent watching his highlights isn’t enough for me to have an opinion one way or the other.

Yeah, I didnt get blown away by him in any of my limited viewings of him. Seemed he was disinterested at times in his own zone, but had all kinds of energy when the puck went towards the opposing end. Has a great shot, good skating, and good vision. But some of his decision making was questionable, but hard to deny the talent and the success of such a young guy in NCAA.