Speedy center Oliver Moore was rated as the Chicago Blackhawks top overall long-term prospect by scouts in THN’s 2024 Future Watch edition last spring.
USA Today Network
The 2024 NHL Draft, as expected, has upset the order.
Chicago selected Artyom Levshunov, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman from Belarus via Michigan State University, with the No. 2 overall pick. Terrific as a freshman last season with the Spartans, Levshunov signed an entry-level pro contract on July 6 and will be in Blackhawks training camp in September.
Related: Blackhawks Sign No. 2 Overall Draft Pick Artyom Levshunov
Moore was Chicago’s second first-round 2023 draft pick (19th overall) behind Connor Bedard. Moore, from the Twin Cities suburbs, is still on course to make an impact in the NHL, but probably not for a couple of years. He’ll return to the University of Minnesota in the fall for a sophomore season along with defenseman and roommate Sam Rinzel, who was ranked fourth in 2024 Future Watch. (We’ll have a separate story on the pair of Gophers.)
Levshunov brings an entire package that adds up to be a potential No. 1 defenseman on an NHL team, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson said. He’s projected to be more than a minutes-eater or shutdown D-man. There’s speed and offensive potential along with the size.
Of course, at age 18, Levshunov has a lot to learn about reads, gaps, angling, decisions and all the nuances of the position. Odds are he’ll play the 2024-25 season with Rockford of the AHL, but Levshunov probably rates as the non-roster Blackhawks prospect with the most upside at the moment.
Praise from Future Teammates
Moore, along with Rinzel, faced Levshunov several times in Big Ten conference play last winter. With MSU in 2023-24, the big defenseman posted nine goals and 35 points in 38 games and was a plus 27 enroute to being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
What really stood out to Moore and Rinzel about their probable future NHL teammate? His wheels and offensive instincts.
“The first thing that really jump off the page is he’s very offensive (minded)… jumps in the play but he’s smart with it,” Moore said. “Obviously with his skating ability and how big he is, he can close really well. He’s an all-round player and I think the Blackhawks are pumped to have him for sure” See Moore in the following video.
The 6-foot-4 Rinzel, the 25th overall pick in 2022, sees the same from Levshunov.
“He’s big, he’s mobile, he’s a two-way defenseman,” Rinzel said. “You’ve just got to be aware when he’s on the ice. He likes to be sneaky, so wherever he is you just gotta’ pay attention. Especially the wingers or forwards, they gotta’ kind of be dialed in, knowing where he is all over the ice.” See Rinzel in the following video with fellow prospect Ryan Greene, who’s headed back to Boston University.
Davidson and his staff were sold on Levshunov in the weeks before the draft, even if they tried to acquire another high pick in Las Vegas to add forward Ivan Demidov.
“I just think the entire package,” Davidson said. “Offensively, he can drive offense. Skating, he’s super mobile. Got good size. He’s aggressive, a physical defender and we just think there’s more upside to come. The package, as well as the potential growth let to some it just so intriguing. See following video.
