RD Artyom Levshunov (2024, 2nd, CHI)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think a lot of Hawks fans have to consider the type of team they are trying to build and not evaluate Demidov vs. Levshunov player vs. player.

Demidov will probably be one of the best scoring wingers in the NHL. But if you get a 1D out of Levshunov, which probably still won’t be a player who gets the same attention as a star scoring winger, that might help you build a better team. It’s very hard to find defensemen of that caliber, especially right handed and those that have every skill and can play in every situation. With Levshunov, you now finally see the makings of a 1-6D for the future within the organization (Levshunov, Korchinski, Vlasic, Rinzel, Allan, Del Mastro). Having that settled will go a long way.

They have the superstar center. They have a lot of smaller and skill type of prospects. Demidov isn’t small, but he’s more of the same with the type of player. You can always trade for another first or second line forward, if need be. And they’ll have this draft also to find that player. I think for them taking Levshunov was probably the right decision.

 

[CallMeShaft]

I think a lot of Hawks fans have to consider the type of team they are trying to build and not evaluate Demidov vs. Levshunov player vs. player.

Demidov will probably be one of the best scoring wingers in the NHL. But if you get a 1D out of Levshunov, which probably still won’t be a player who gets the same attention as a star scoring winger, that might help you build a better team. It’s very hard to find defensemen of that caliber, especially right handed and those that have every skill and can play in every situation. With Levshunov, you now finally see the makings of a 1-6D for the future within the organization (Levshunov, Korchinski, Vlasic, Rinzel, Allan, Del Mastro). Having that settled will go a long way.

They have the superstar center. They have a lot of smaller and skill type of prospects. Demidov isn’t small, but he’s more of the same with the type of player. You can always trade for another first or second line forward, if need be. And they’ll have this draft also to find that player. I think for them taking Levshunov was probably the right decision.

As a Hawks fan, I'm not going to say it was the right decision, but it is comforting to know we've sort of got our D core for the future settled and out of the way (like you said).

We still need another top line caliber guy in the worst of ways, but thankfully this year's Hawks team (which has improved immensely in team D, but is still almost solely reliant on 98 for offense) will help them get that type of player in next year's draft. Can't say enough about what adding a kid like Misa or Martone would do to cement the team's future.

 

[Alex K]

As a Hawks fan, I'm not going to say it was the right decision, but it is comforting to know we've sort of got our D core for the future settled and out of the way (like you said).

Be careful, the Flyers fans thought their future D core was settled with Provorov, Gostisbehere, Sanheim and Myers.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Be careful, the Flyers fans thought their future D core was settled with Provorov, Gostisbehere, Sanheim and Myers.

Hawks fans are optimistic, though there are certainly no guarantees. Development can stall, injuries can arise, etc.

Still, a lot of good potential for the Hawks. A potential top 4 of Levshunov, Korchinski, Vlasic, and Rinzel is promising. All big guys (KK and Lev are the shortest of the bunch at 6ft2) and the worst skater is probably Vlasic, who is a good skater for being 6ft6.

 

[Nazzz]

I think a lot of Hawks fans have to consider the type of team they are trying to build and not evaluate Demidov vs. Levshunov player vs. player.

Demidov will probably be one of the best scoring wingers in the NHL. But if you get a 1D out of Levshunov, which probably still won’t be a player who gets the same attention as a star scoring winger, that might help you build a better team. It’s very hard to find defensemen of that caliber, especially right handed and those that have every skill and can play in every situation. With Levshunov, you now finally see the makings of a 1-6D for the future within the organization (Levshunov, Korchinski, Vlasic, Rinzel, Allan, Del Mastro). Having that settled will go a long way.

They have the superstar center. They have a lot of smaller and skill type of prospects. Demidov isn’t small, but he’s more of the same with the type of player. You can always trade for another first or second line forward, if need be. And they’ll have this draft also to find that player. I think for them taking Levshunov was probably the right decision.

That's why I'm not against drafting Schaefer this draft.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Be careful, the Flyers fans thought their future D core was settled with Provorov, Gostisbehere, Sanheim and Myers.

I don't think a top prospect pool has ever busted so badly.

 

[wetcoast]

Hawks fans are optimistic, though there are certainly no guarantees. Development can stall, injuries can arise, etc.

Still, a lot of good potential for the Hawks. A potential top 4 of Levshunov, Korchinski, Vlasic, and Rinzel is promising. All big guys (KK and Lev are the shortest of the bunch at 6ft2) and the worst skater is probably Vlasic, who is a good skater for being 6ft6.

Ty Henry might also be the sleeper Dman if he keeps developing.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

This has to be the least posted thread for a 2nd OA picked by an original six team in HF history…

I never see Rockford. Can someone tell us how he’s doing overall? The one thing that sticks out offensively are the 72 shots on net in 25 games in what is probably limited TOI.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Solid so far

Got off to slow start coming off injury but has been getting better while having occasional yips of a just turned 19 yr old playing his first professional hockey

25 GP
2 goals
8 assists
10 pts
-1

Love his willingness to fire puck on net (Most of the guys we have on NHL roster could learn from that)

With Nazar and Korchinski up with Hawks though an already thinly talented Hogs roster is even more depleted which is both good and bad thing for him

Good = More icetime, bigger role
Bad = Not much talent to work with

 

[CallMeShaft]

As BWC said, not much talent to work with in Rockford since Korchinski and Nazar were recalled. The Hogs have also had their fair share of struggles since the coaching change.

But it's still nice seeing Lev lead the entire AHL in SOG by defensemen. That's damn impressive for the youngest D in the entire league and 2nd youngest overall.

Getting shots through is important. You can see why he's been compared to Brent Burns.

 

[WarriorofTime]

My expectation and hope is for one more year in the AHL. He’s really improved tremendously as the season has progressed but still a raw player in some ways. I can see him being a really good force in the AHL. It’s been a long time since he’s played in the same league in back to back seasons.

 

[kmwtrucks]

Arty seems to be final finding his stride. Has 2 G 4A in his last 7 games. and has been using his size and speed. he is a very good athlete at 6-2 210. he has looked more engaged playing with intensity and pace. he is good to elite skater for his size. He is also doing it in D +1 in the AHL.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

There was nothing wrong with the pick. Chicago gets way too much hate for picking Levshunov.

 

[Kshahdoo]

There was nothing wrong with the pick. Chicago gets way too much hate for picking Levshunov.

To be as good as a 100+ point winger (which Demidov is going to become one day), a defenseman must be not just a regular 1D, but one of the best in the game.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

To be as good as a 100+ point winger (which Demidov is going to become one day), a defenseman must be not just a regular 1D, but one of the best in the game.

Whether they got the 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th best player, they got a good player. He’s different from guys like Demidov and Catton. They took a player they thought would be harder to acquire. Levshunov looks like the best defenseman from the 2024 draft.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Whether they got the 2nd or 3rd or 4th or 5th best player, they got a good player. He’s different from guys like Demidov and Catton. They took a player they thought would be harder to acquire. Levshunov looks like the best defenseman from the 2024 draft.

To me it comes down to whether Levshunov develops into a Pietrangelo or if he doesn't round out his game and is just a slightly better Bogosian. If you get another Pietrangelo, then I'm not gonna fault Davidson much even if I thought Demidov should have been the pick at 2

 

[majormajor]

Levshunov looks like the best defenseman from the 2024 draft.

I know many will disagree, but I don't think he's ever looked close to Buium.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I like looking into prospects off and one after the draft in the Ducks range. Lev is one of those prospects, which I really wanted him to drop to Anaheim at #3. Who wouldn't want a two-way D with offensive prowess with a right shot that already has a very good NHL frame at 6'2 and 209 lbs patrolling the blue line for 20 to 30 minutes a game?

Defensemen usually take more time to develop than forwards. We probably won't see just how good Lev can be for a couple more years. He is adapting to the AHL level of play and then will have to do the same thing at the NHL level, where everything is at even faster pace. Rockford has done well at developing d-men.

Just stat watching:

2024-25

Korchinski: 39 gp, 2g +18a = 20 pts, and a -20 rating​

Lev: 43 gp, 4g + 13a = 17 pts, and +2 rating​

Korchinski is the #7 pick in the 2022 draft. Lev is the #2 pick in the 2024 draft. It looks like Lev is further ahead of Korchinski's development. TBF, Korchinski had to play in the NHL last year b/c he was too young to play at the AHL level due to the NHL/CHL agreement. That might have set his development backwards as he wasn't ready for that NHL jump.

As for who else could have been picked at #2, we don't know until years later. But doing research on the top-5/6 guys, it just makes one like them all and hope they all succeed. If they all succeed, then the NHL succeeds in being "must see TV".

 

[Hattrick Kane]

I don’t know if this was true last year, but his skating is actually insane. He’s Heiskanen fast which I didn’t realize.

 

[majormajor]

I like looking into prospects off and one after the draft in the Ducks range. Lev is one of those prospects, which I really wanted him to drop to Anaheim at #3. Who wouldn't want a two-way D with offensive prowess with a right shot that already has a very good NHL frame at 6'2 and 209 lbs patrolling the blue line for 20 to 30 minutes a game?

Defensemen usually take more time to develop than forwards. We probably won't see just how good Lev can be for a couple more years. He is adapting to the AHL level of play and then will have to do the same thing at the NHL level, where everything is at even faster pace. Rockford has done well at developing d-men.

Just stat watching:

2024-25

Korchinski: 39 gp, 2g +18a = 20 pts, and a -20 rating​

Lev: 43 gp, 4g + 13a = 17 pts, and +2 rating​

Korchinski is the #7 pick in the 2022 draft. Lev is the #2 pick in the 2024 draft. It looks like Lev is further ahead of Korchinski's development. TBF, Korchinski had to play in the NHL last year b/c he was too young to play at the AHL level due to the NHL/CHL agreement. That might have set his development backwards as he wasn't ready for that NHL jump.

As for who else could have been picked at #2, we don't know until years later. But doing research on the top-5/6 guys, it just makes one like them all and hope they all succeed. If they all succeed, then the NHL succeeds in being "must see TV".

Comparing him to Korchinski - a guy the Hawks overdrafted and developed badly - isn't saying much.

Taking project D-men at that range is rarely worth it. So often you get D later in the draft - like Slavin or Faber - that outshine the D that go top ten. It's just more unpredictable at that position and I think the Hawks got overconfident in their projections. I wouldn't be surprised if Vlasic and Rinzel ended up better than Korchinski and Levshunov.

I don’t know if this was true last year, but his skating is actually insane. He’s Heiskanen fast which I didn’t realize.

His skating is amazing - great speed and elite four way mobility. That's his calling card. But what separates the elite #1Ds from your more average middle pair guys is usually between the ears.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don’t know if this was true last year, but his skating is actually insane. He’s Heiskanen fast which I didn’t realize.

He's always been lauded for being an amazing athlete. That's the first thing people would mention about him. His strength and speed is crazy.

 

[jiboy]

I saw a lot of Yandle in him during draft year , he looks to be playing good hockey in the ahl

 

[CallMeShaft]

Arty seems to be final finding his stride. Has 2 G 4A in his last 7 games. and has been using his size and speed. he is a very good athlete at 6-2 210. he has looked more engaged playing with intensity and pace. he is good to elite skater for his size. He is also doing it in D +1 in the AHL.

2 points tonight.

That's 8pts in his last 8 AHL games now.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

I had my doubts about him before the draft because of the handful of MSU games I watched he didn't show me much in the way of playing actual defense. For sure his skating and offense was very good, but - at least in the games I watched - he was caught out of position a lot, didn't really play much in the way of physicality and he got caught in between many times like he wasn't processing the play quick enough to be projected to be a top-line NHL defender.

Then watching when he started playing in the AHL it looked pretty much the same. However, he has made noticeable improvements in the last month or so ... so ... here's hoping the upward trajectory continues.