RD Artyom Levshunov - Michigan State Univ., NCAA (2024, 2nd, CHI)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think it's baked into the equation with Levshunov. He's more physically developed than others. You knew that coming into the draft. Evan Bouchard had a full beard and looked like he was about 35 when he was at the combine and doing these interviews. People said he was too physically mature to go that high. His thread was flooded with people who thought there was something wrong with him because of how physically mature he was.

Some of these players are good at hockey and don't need a lot more physical maturity to end up good NHL'ers.

And the fact that he's balding doesn't make him more physically developed than others. It probably means he's close to physical maturity, but a player with a full head of hair could also be close to physical maturity.

 

[majormajor]

I've seen Levshunov when he hasn't shaven in a while and there's maybe fifteen hairs on his face. Aside from the hairline he could pass for 16 years old. A lot of folks have never seen someone lose their hair early before, apparently.

You'd think @LeProspector would want another Andrei Markov, who also had thinning hair at 18.

Edit: the more substantive response to your post is that Levshunov doesn't need to get bigger or stronger or faster, his body looks machine built to be a top defensemen. It's the processor that needs work.

 

[User1996]

He looks a little bottom heavy (not a bad thing)

 

[Mjul Qvist]

And the fact that he's balding doesn't make him more physically developed than others. It probably means he's close to physical maturity, but a player with a full head of hair could also be close to physical maturity.

In most cases loosing hair is caused by a combination of hormonal and genetic factors. Everyone should just relax.

 

[bert]

He's going #2 to Chicago. Book it.

 

[Mrfenn92]

He's going #2 to Chicago. Book it.

Maybe

 

[WeThreeKings]

He's going #2 to Chicago. Book it.

Seems to be the case as of right now.

 

[bert]

Maybe

You needed that eh.

 

[Jacob]

I'd rather lose than win with a bunch of Norwood 5s.

 

[kp61c]

looks like he's 40 already. that rises a question about how much room to grow as a player he has. anyway, it seems chicago is all over him and really like him. things will get interesting after the first two picks.

 

[CanadienShark]

looks like he's 40 already. that rises a question about how much room to grow as a player he has. anyway, it seems chicago is all over him and really like him. things will get interesting after the first two picks.

Would you prefer drafting a toddler that looks like a teenager in his 30s like RNH? I wasn't aware that appearance affected how players develop.

 

[BKarchitect]

I mean if we are going to micro-analyze appearances...he looks like a dude from Eastern Europe who just wants to f-ing hockey and not spend his time perfecting his flow for media day.

 

[kmwtrucks]

I think when you draft someone that developed he has a huge advantage over everyone he plays against. and he will not get any bigger more then likely so how much room will he have to grow as a player. it just lessons the projection IMO

 

[BKarchitect]

I think when you draft someone that developed he has a huge advantage over everyone he plays against. and he will not get any bigger more then likely so how much room will he have to grow as a player. it just lessons the projection IMO

I mean he's certainly not just excelling in the NCAA, in a top conference, by only outmuscling a bunch of 22, 23- and 24-year-olds.

There will be of course a step up from the NCAA, where some guys are getting business degrees, to the pros...but I think there is kind of this notion seeping in here with Levshunov and some of these other guys of like "oh damn...I wish you could've done all you have shown this past year while being a 5'-9" skinny guy...then I'd really love you as a prospect!"

The fixation on a dude being a naturally ridiculous and built athlete at age 18 as if this is a bad thing or caps their potential is a little weird to me. HFB has come full-circle...either we fixate on whether you are 5'-9.5" or 5'-10" and how that will impact you at the next level or we claim you are too athletic and strong already.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I can't believe people are serious about this hairline analysis, lol. For what it's worth, if you just look at his face, he looks like a kid.

 

[Jacob]

My (actual) concern would be if he's the age he claims he is. But I assume that checks out.

 

[WarriorofTime]

My (actual) concern would be if he's the age he claims he is. But I assume that checks out.

Age Fraud used to be rampant with African Football players (and some other places) before testing was introduced, but it's never been a thing with ex Soviet-bloc hockey players. Belarus is a high-developed country. There's about as much concern of him playing on a fraudulent birth certificate as Macklin Celebrini.

 

[Castle8130]

I can't believe people are serious about this hairline analysis, lol. For what it's worth, if you just look at his face, he looks like a kid.

I met Arty like 4 years ago in an AA meeting. Dude has like 4 kids and alimony

 

[sansabri]

is he related to Grigorenko

 

[BKarchitect]

is he related to Grigorenko

Yes, he is Mikhail’s father.

 

[Caser]

I've seen Levshunov when he hasn't shaven in a while and there's maybe fifteen hairs on his face. Aside from the hairline he could pass for 16 years old. A lot of folks have never seen someone lose their hair early before, apparently.

You'd think @LeProspector would want another Andrei Markov, who also had thinning hair at 18.

Edit: the more substantive response to your post is that Levshunov doesn't need to get bigger or stronger or faster, his body looks machine built to be a top defensemen. It's the processor that needs work.

Not sure about Markov, but he really reminds me of young Sergei Zubov, both face and hair lol.

 

[GiGi1994]

I see a lot of McAvoy in this guy.
McAvoy might have better hands but overall I think it's a fair comp. Jumps into offensive plays, carry the puck on zone exits, doesn't shy away from physical plays and even takes bad penalty off frustration juste like McAvoy. If he goes to the right team (ex. Chicago) I think there's legitimate chance we see him in the NHL in 25-26.

 

[CanadienShark]

I can't believe people are serious about this hairline analysis, lol. For what it's worth, if you just look at his face, he looks like a kid.

It shows that they've never had to work a customer service job where IDing people is a thing. There's more than one thing to look for when judging someone's age. Not that this is at all relevant to him as a hockey player either.

 

[Pan]

I met Arty like 4 years ago in an AA meeting. Dude has like 4 kids and alimony

What a nonsense. That's him in December 2021 (time 6:08). Just an average kid.

 

[Caser]

What a nonsense. That's him in December 2021. Just an average kid.

This is what NCAA does to a Belarusian.