With the second-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks have selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov. The arguable best defenseman in the 2024 NHL Draft Class, Levshunov put up 35 points in 38 NCAA games this season at Michigan State and was named the Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Year and Defenseman of the Year.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson has said for about a week that the organization had enough information, mainly following the Dan Milstein/Gold Star Russian Prospect Showcase, regarding who they wanted to select with the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. Unlike last year in Nashville, where the Blackhawks had a slam-dunk first pick with Connor Bedard, there was a ton of debate between Levshunov and Russian forward Ivan Demidov as the best pick for Chicago.

Ultimately, Davidson and the Blackhawks scouting group landed on top defenseman Artyom Levshunov.

With needs at every position still within the organization at the NHL and prospect levels, the Blackhawks are drafting in “best player available” mode this year. There is a legitimate argument to be had between the players it most likely came down to for the Blackhawks with Demidov and Levshunov, but Chicago is acting on who they believe to be the best option on their board, even if it may or may not have been the best player available on other teams or draft analysts big boards.

Nevertheless, Artyom Levshunov is the newest Chicago Blackhawks defenseman and another key cornerstone player to help move the rebuilding process forward and help get the franchise back to the top of the NHL mountain.