NHL draft debate: Maybe the Chicago Blackhawks’ choice at No. 2 isn’t the toss-up everyone thinks

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson at the 2023 NHL draft on June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. For weeks, the Chicago Blackhawks’ options with the No. 2 pick in Friday’s NHL draft have appeared to be an either-or proposition: Russian junior league forward Ivan Demidov or Michigan State defensemanOne draft pundit and former NHL scout contends the two aren’t as closely matched as consensus opinion would have us believe.

Dan Marr, vice president of Central Scouting, told the Tribune in May, “I’d say he’s a complete , more of an all-around,” but acknowledged that for his staff, ”it was hard for us to sort out the defensemen.” After posting nine goals and 26 assists for the Spartans last season, Levshunov was named a second-team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association and earned Big Ten honors as defensive player and freshman of the year.“When he played against higher competition and was pressured in his own zone particularly, he was prone to turnovers,” McCagg said. “He jumps into the play at inopportune times.

“I’ve still got him in my top 12 , so it’s not like I completely hate him. He’s going to play in your top four and be a longtime NHL defenseman. But you have a chance to take what I think could be the next Pavel Bure instead . There’s no comparison for me.”“I don’t see how Chicago can pass on Demidov,” he said. “I think he’s their dynamic duo that they had with Toews and Kane. Bedard and Demidov are the next incarnation.

Asked whether he was worried the latter fact might depress Demidov’s stock, Dan Milstein, the agent for both Demidov and Levshunov, told the Tribune, “No, absolutely not.” “I thought he may have been SKA’s best player in the exhibition season,” he said. “I don’t really see a lot of knocks on Demidov. … He’s a very competitive player. He cares away from the puck. He works hard. I think Luke is going to like him from Day 1.”“He’s just so strong on his skates,” McCagg said. “He was on the ice for 0.28 goals-against per game. … I’ve never seen a mark that low. Ever.”

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Chicago Blackhawks dive into interviews with Ivan Demidov, Artyom Levshunov and other NHL draft prospectsThe Chicago Blackhawks will have a tough decision with the No. 2 pick at the NHL draft next week in Las Vegas.
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »

Today in Sports History: Chicago Blackhawks win their 3rd NHL title in 6 yearsIn 2015, Chicago’s Duncan Keith scores in the second period and directs a dominant defense that shuts down Tampa Bay’s high-scoring attack, and the Blackhawks beat the Lightning 2-0 in Game 6 for t…
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »

Fed's new economic projections may come with a dose of maybe, maybe notFed's new economic projections may come with a dose of maybe, maybe not
Source: Investingcom - 🏆 450. / 53 Read more »

Maybe It’s Magic, Maybe These 36 Beauty Products Are Just *That* Gosh Darn GoodYou probably thought your days of believing in magic were over... but these beauty products are about to change that.
Source: BuzzFeed - 🏆 730. / 51 Read more »

Former Chicago Blackhawks legend Jeremy Roenick gets into Hockey Hall of Fame after a lengthy waitJeremy Roenick is going into the Hockey Hall of Fame, ending the wait for the American forward who had been eligible for more than a decade.
Source: fox32news - 🏆 547. / 51 Read more »

Chicago Blackhawks Partner With Circa Sports to Sponsor Official Home Jersey PatchPatches bearing the American sportsbook operator's logo will appear on the Chicago Blackhawks' home red jerseys during the 2024-25 season.
Source: Covers - 🏆 341. / 59 Read more »