After more than two months of waiting since the final game of the Blackhawks’ season, the day has finally come – it’s draft day! Tonight, Chicago will be tasked with getting the draft truly going after Macklin Celebrini goes to San Jose at No. 1. With the No. 2 and No. 18 picks in the first round, the Blackhawks and GM Kyle Davidson have done their research, mulling over the seemingly endless options. It’s a huge night for Chicago’s long-term championship hopes; while the influx of high-caliber prospects is certainly impressive, the team is missing one or two key pieces, which may be found via tonight’s draft.
But unlike last year, when phenom Connor Bedard was the unquestioned No. 1 pick for Chicago, it’s much more difficult to project the Blackhawks’ next moves. Two options have emerged as heavy favorites to be the No. 2 pick, and Davidson mentioned yesterday that his front office had made its decision on who that pick will be.
No. 2 Pick Options
Many fans on social media will tell you that if the Blackhawks take Ivan Demidov or Artyom Levshunov at No. 2, it’ll decimate the franchise for years to come and completely erase their hopes of hoisting a Stanley Cup. At the end of the day, there’s no wrong answer to this debate. There’s a reason the consensus is that these two prospects are likely filling out the top three overall picks – they’re elite players and project as franchise cornerstones for years to come.
Ivan Demidov
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Demidov initially lost ground in the race against Levshunov because, as a Russian prospect, he wasn’t invited to the NHL Draft Combine. But thanks to a showcase hosted by agent Dan Milstein in Florida a week later, he was able to get some of the attention right back. He wasn’t able to skate due to an ankle injury (which is nearly healed), but reportedly “shocked” NHL teams because he speaks English well and is much taller than was initially reported.
The main concern initially for Demidov was when he would be able to come to the NHL from Russia. However, Milstein put those concerns to bed at the event by telling teams that there’s no plan for him to sign an extension in the KHL after this year, and he’ll be available in North America a year from now.
Regarding his on-ice play, there’s a reason Demidov is regarded as the second-best forward in this class. Insiders rave about his skill and work ethic, and he’s a highly creative player who would fare well on any team’s power-play unit. Demidov is a dynamic playmaker whose shiftiness and overall abilities make him a dangerous passer and playmaker. With those traits, imagining him on a line with Bedard for years to come is a scenario that’s hard to pass up.
Artyom Levshunov
The Russian winger would be a blast to watch in Chicago, but then again, so would the top defenseman in this class. Levshunov, a big-bodied blueliner, likens his game to players like Kevin Korchinski, with peak offensive efficiency and a unique ability to find great passing and shooting lanes.
The Blackhawks got to see plenty of him at Michigan State this year and clearly liked what they saw. One moment that caught the eyes of Chicago fans came when, at the Combine, Levshunov said he and the team had been in contact numerous times and that they had even taken him to dinner.
There’s no doubt Levshunov would be a great fit on a developing Blackhawks blue line. The team is developing great defensive talent that is set to flood the NHL ranks, but as I mentioned at the start of this month, premier defensive talent is hard to come by at this level, especially big, impactful, two-way players like Levshunov.
While Levshunov is expected to return to Michigan State this fall, there’s no question his situation is a bit more preferable to the Blackhawks than that of Demidov, who has no chance of coming to the team this season. There’s a chance Levshunov could join the team right away this fall, or at least when his collegiate season comes to an end next spring. With Chicago itching to get back into contention, developing prospects as quickly as possible is an argument for Levshunov that shouldn’t be overlooked.
No. 18 Pick Options
At No. 18, the Blackhawks are much more at the mercy of the teams ahead of them. Will the players they like get sniped just before their turn? Will a blue-chip prospect or two fall through the cracks? Many may recall that Chicago was able to steal Oliver Moore, the best skater in his class, at No. 19 overall last year. If they can find similar success, the team will be set up as a contender more quickly than anyone thought possible.
With plenty of talent available in the No. 18 range, the Blackhawks have a ton of options to choose from. It’s impossible to tell what direction they’ll go with the pick (they may even use it to trade up), but I’ve taken a stab at predicting the five most likely candidates.
Adam Jiricek, RHD
The Blackhawks’ second pick falls in the middle of a projected run on forwards. However, if they do take Demidov with their first pick, Davidson may be tempted to lean toward bolstering the blue line. If that’s the case, the best option in this range would be Adam Jiricek, the young right-handed Czech. He was considered perhaps the best D-man in this class at this time last year, but injuries since then have knocked him down the ranks. It’s a risky pick because of his history, but if he stays healthy, Jiricek’s vision and ability to move the puck, as well as his sound defensive game, would make him one of the most valuable picks in this draft.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW
As one of the more popular picks for the Blackhawks in the pre-draft media, Brandsegg-Nygard is a European right-hander who excels in every aspect of the game – he’s ranked among the best in his class in his shot, physicality, competitiveness, and all-around play. He has a unique ability to bully his opponents and uses his strong size to establish position anywhere on the ice. While many of Chicago’s forwards are smaller, faster skaters, Brandsegg-Nygard would be a great complement to complete a more balanced Blackhawks attack.
Jett Luchanko, C
If the Blackhawks instead attempt to continue to fit their current scheme, Luchanko would be a home run pick at No. 18. With impressive speed and a strong work ethic, he plays fast and possesses a ton of skill on both ends of the ice. As one of the most productive players in this class (74 points in the OHL last season), Luchanko is a huge asset and consistently helps his team win games. If he’s still on the board in the latter half of the first round, the Blackhawks may find it too difficult to pass up a great prospect that fits the team they’ve already built.
Michael Hage, C
The Blackhawks were able to watch plenty of Hage over the past two years as he spent time with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, putting up 75 points in 54 games last year. The productive forward was honored at Thursday night’s NHL Awards when he received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence for “exemplifying commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism.” After enduring a shoulder injury in 2023, Hage came back in a big way to become one of the top USHL prospects in the draft. As a dynamic, flashy forward, he’s an incredible skater who is elusive and exciting – just what the Blackhawks are looking for in a late-first-round pick.
Igor Chernyshov, LW
If the Blackhawks take Demidov off the board at No. 2, it’s unlikely they’d go back to the Russian well with their second pick just based on the risk involved. If they take the Belarusian Levshunov, however, Chernyshov would be a solid choice as a bigger, powerful forward. He’s known for his on-ice intellect and ability to read plays before they develop. Though he lacks a ton of high-end scoring ability, Chernyshov would be the Blackhawks’ selection if they decide they need a power forward in tandem with their current small-statured roster.
