Why Blackhawks drafted Artyom Levshunov at No. 2

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LAS VEGAS — The Chicago Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup window shut permanently with the demise of their defense.

Johnny Oduya left in free agency. Niklas Hjalmarsson was traded. Brent Seabrook couldn’t physically maintain his high level. Duncan Keith tried to carry the load, but it wasn’t enough as younger and older reinforcements failed to fill the holes.

Now, after years of defensive struggles, the blue line is the first area Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has worked to address in the franchise’s rebuild. After drafting a defenseman in the first round in each of his first two drafts, Davidson selected his third and arguably most significant one Friday when the Blackhawks took Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Although the Blackhawks debated internally and were immensely intrigued by draft prospect Ivan Demidov’s offensive ability, Chicago opted for the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Levshunov, whom they believe has the size, strength and two-way upside to be a future No. 1 defenseman. The Blackhawks did their homework throughout the past two years on Levshunov and were convinced of his potential.

Levshunov is originally from Belarus and arrived in the United States before the 2022-23 season. He played for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL in his first season, then went on to play college hockey and was a freshman defenseman at Michigan State this past season.

The Blackhawks have another major decision ahead: whether to ask Levshunov to return to Michigan State for a sophomore season or turn pro. The Blackhawks could sign Levshunov and assign him to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.

Aside from what the Blackhawks envision him to be, Levshunov also helps fill a need for right-handed defensemen within the organization. Outside of current NHL defensemen Seth Jones and Connor Murphy, the Blackhawks only have a few prospects who are right-handed. Sam Rinzel, who is returning to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season, is also right-handed.

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