Blackhawks Items From 2024 NHL Scouting Combine: Artyom Levshunov Makes Strong Impression

Blackhawks Items From 2024 NHL Scouting Combine: Artyom Levshunov Makes Strong Impression originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

Presented by National Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

BUFFALO, NY – The 2024 NHL Scouting Combine is officially registered after a week-long event in Buffalo.

For Chicago, most of the attention was on defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who is in talks to go second overall. Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, head scout Mike Doneghey and head USA scout Rob Facca intently watched his 30-minute fitness portion from the back row of LECOM Harborcenter.

According to Levshunov, the Blackhawks were the only team to take him to dinner this week, which apparently went well.

“It was cool,” said Levshunov smiling. We had some good conversations. It was a fun time. We had some fun there.”

Then the jokester in him kicked in and let out a big laugh: “I had a few beers. No, no, no. Yes, it was a good time.”

If you didn’t already know, Levshunov is as likable a prospect as any in the Class of 2024. He shook hands with every reporter before the interview, made the media laugh a lot, and exuded positivity.

If the Blackhawks like what Levshunov brings to the ice, I’m sure they also love the off-ice personality that accompanies him. Levshunov has no idea if he will be picked by Chicago or not.

“Any team would be good for me,” said Levshunov. “I just wanted to get drafted. Any team that has a good organization tries to care about their players. I just want to be in the NHL someday. It’s my dream to play there.”

Levshunov has not yet decided whether he will return to Michigan State for his sophomore season or turn pro. It will be a conversation between him and the team that calls him up.

“We’ll see,” said Levshunov. “It’s possible. After the draft, we’ll see which team picks me and we’ll decide after the draft.”

Here are some other quick-hit items from the weekend:

• Levshunov was asked which player was the hardest to guard in college hockey this season. He listed Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar as one of the names, along with Nazar’s Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley: “They’re like little guys, smaller than me. It’s a little harder to play against them because I’m taller, they’re smaller. There are a lot of good players in college hockey.”

• Macklin Celebrini was asked the same question and he said that Levshunov was one of the toughest players he ever faced. High praise from the consensus No. 1 overall pick in 2024.

• Speaking of Celebrini, it’s no secret that San Jose will take him with the first overall pick. And although the media circus hasn’t been the same, Connor Bedard knows what Celebrini is going through. Bedard reached out to Celebrini a while ago and offered to serve as a sounding board if Celebrini needed it as she tried to navigate the year-round spotlight.

  “I talked to him a little bit,” Celebrini said. “He is a friend with whom we grew up a little together. Earlier this year he got in touch and said if there was anything I needed or needed help with, let him know. But I didn’t have to use it much.”

• Ivan Demidov, who is also part of the discussion for second place overall, was not at the Scouting Combine. None of the Russian players were. Agent Dan Milstein is scheduled to hold a showcase in Florida before the draft, and that’s where the Blackhawks will be able to meet with Demidov and gather final information on him.

• One of the wildcards in the 2024 NHL Draft is two-way center Cayden Lindstrom, who is a Top 5 talent but dealt with multiple injuries last season, notably including a back ailment. The main question he likely received from teams during the interview was his medical history and if there are any concerns about the future.

  Lindstrom said he’s progressing well and doesn’t seem to be worried: “I’m feeling great. I’m working out probably six times a week, skating three or four times a week. Everything’s going well. I’m recovering pretty quickly.”

• And finally, here’s something that made me laugh. Chicago Steel forward Michael Hage — a projected first-round selection who could be a potential option for the Blackhawks at No. 18 overall — said he met with 31 of the 32 NHL teams this week.

  The only one who didn’t interview him? The Tampa Bay Lightning. That’s because they don’t pick until the fourth round this year.

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