I liked this player a lot since before the draft, and knew there was a chance CHI would take him.
It seems like people on here just do not grasp the premium GMs and scouts put on these high/elite upside RHD prospects.
This is overall the most sought after type of prospect in hockey because an elite RHD is the hardest asset to acquire in this league.
Certain fans may not like it, but when there is the chance to draft one, your GM is likely going to take it over pretty much anything else, short of a franchise or generational C prospect, even if the RHD’s upside is a risk to pan out. It will continue to happen.
Levshunov has franchise D potential. He may or may not reach that potential, but clearly the Hawks thought it was worth the gamble, as many teams would have in the same situation.
The Hawks clearly valued Demidov as well - the rumors that they put together a serious package to try to get CBJ’s pick to take him are well known, but they wanted to lock up the elite upside RHD first and foremost.
I think two factors that may have tipped the scales in their decision is:
1. Already having an elite forward in the system in Bedard.
2. Demidov playing his draft year in the MHL - it’s harder to get a read on players in that league.
If not for these two factors, the situation might’ve been reversed where they went with Demidov and tried to trade into 3rd, 4th, or 5th for Levshunov.
With hindsight, I think they likely wish they had taken Demidov, considering they year he just had in the KHL, but playing the hindsight game is dumb, and I doubt they regret their decision - it was completely fair at the time, and if Levshunov does become that elite #1 RHD, nobody is going to care too much about what ifs here anyways.
CHI will likely get several more high picks and they knew that, so can afford to take these kinds of gambles.
