#Blackhawks

Chicago Rinkcast staff members Andy Campbell, Eric Andrews, Sean Fitzgerald, Jimmy O'Malley reconvene 24 hours after the NHL Draft Lottery to talk about possible Blackhawks picks at Number 2:
🎙️Suddenly the debate over Ivan Demidov and Artom Levshunov has become insufferable.
🎙️Ivan Demidov's strengths and deficiencies.
🎙️Artom Levshunov's strengths and deficiencies.
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[@jasonprice9823]

Demidov detractors seem to think the rebuild is over after this draft. "We already have skill" or "he's not big enough" there is still 2-4 years of building left with this team. Those things and types of players will come.

[@rayvolk9662]

If Levshuonv was the best D I'd be ok with him. Demidov has elite puck and hand skills, plus playmaking skills and great edgework. He has the highest upside.

[@MrNewstyle23]

Exactly! These guys keep bringing up hypotheticals with Levshunov. Go with the best player which is Demidov. He’s special!

[@plrt6794]

Whoever the Hawks select had better be as good or better in the playoffs than the regular season. I see that mess in Toronto where Matthews, Marner and Nylander haven’t shown they can ramp up their respective games when it matters.

[@jaredspruyt2069]

You guys are under selling Demidiv imo. Potential 100 pt wingers don’t grow on trees. And the “drafting same sized forwards” argument is silly. Draft the best player available.

[@therinkofficial]

There is no direct evidence that says he’s going to be a 100pt W. Even if he was, what is Celebrini? 130? Bedard might not even be a 100 pt player and he’s light years better than anyone in this draft. Too many people just casually throwing around that number. Rare “special” players hit 100pts.

[@therinkofficial]

Also, of the players available (franchise C, Scoring W and #1 Defenders) a scoring W is the easiest to acquire through trades or UFA. Korchinski and Vlasic are great but not #1 defenders. TOR and EDM have proven that you cannot out-score not having dominant defensemen.

[@user-bl4ex2ep4y]

@@therinkofficial I feel like him having the greatest draft year in MHL history ahead of multiple guys who became 100 point scorers is enough evidence. Obviously not a lock but higher then 99% of dudes that enter the draft. The offensive floor is right there with Celebrini Celebrinis defensive and transition game are what seperate the two. His odds of become a star are higher the levshunovs in my mind. Fine either way though. Also think he plays a different game then nazar/lardis not as much of a rush creator much better on the cycle and forcheck.

[@bryantlawson6270]

​@therinkofficial first of all I have no doubt bedard will be a 100 point guy in his career multiple times. He's rare. And Secondly Demidov has the most points per game ever in the MHL. that list includes michkov, kucherov, buchnevic, kaprizov, panarin. He actually has a slightly higher upside offensively than celebrini, he's not nearly as an all around player nor is he a center. The stuff this kid pulls off is CRAZY. Levvy is good, RHD with his size is nice to have but his ceiling is not as high and quite frankly I don't think his floor is all that great either. Btw demidovs contract is up after this coming season. And he has no interest on signing KHL longer.

[@therinkofficial]

@@bryantlawson6270 Strictly comparing stats in a league that is equal to the OHL or USHL is not a solid model. The list of players that set records in minor leagues and amounted to nothing is a list in the hundreds or thousands. Rob Schremp is a prime example. Demidov has exactly zero points when playing against MEN. Nikita Gusev, Rafael Bikmullin and Sergei Plotnikov also have really good MHL stats. None have been a 100pt NHLers Levshinov is a man already. Playing against some people that are as old as 23-34 and dominating. Same path as Owen Power. You can acquire scoring wings. You cannot acquire #1 defenders without overpaying grossly.

[@goldpanner]

I agree with @Lebowski55 and will add Levshunov is way too timid about being hit for a guy his size

[@royanderson3478]

Issues with real DOB. 16 yr old USHL? He was like 👍 19-20, no way 16.

[@royanderson3478]

Demidov. The rest are any order.

[@Rick-ew1iw]

Maybe Adam Jiricek at 20 or try and move up a few spots for him.

[@joelgaeta1006]

You guys quite literally have no clue what you're talking about it.

[@therinkofficial]

YET, You are here listening/watching us. Thanks for the support.

[@beelzeebub1]

You draft the best player and make trades. Bowman snagged Brouwer , Bickell , Shaw ,(played big) Saad, Byfuglien(Smith pick) in later rounds and made trades to grab Eager , Ladd , Bollig. Demidov will be more impactful than Levshunov imo

[@therinkofficial]

Brouwer and Bickell were not drafted by Bowman. You can’t count on finding gems. You guess and lower than 25% of the time, you get something. Demidov has been playing in a league that couldn’t compete with most Jr or College teams. Levshunov was dominant as a freshman on a good team. W are easy to find. #1 defensemen aren’t. Try trading for a #1 d man vs a good scoring W. Demidov is several levels below Bedard while Demidov is going to have a higher ceiling than Korchinski.

[@Lebowski55]

Mike Smith drafted Brouwer Bickell and Byfuglien not Bowman. Dale Tallon traded for Ladd.

[@Lebowski55]

@@therinkofficial Levshunov is a project. He has all the tools but is more concerned with offense than defense. Levshunov needs a lot od coaching to reach his potential. Demidov's potential is not reliant on coaching. Demidov isn't just any other scoring winger. Demidov is special. Hes Datsuk special (as a winger).

[@rayvolk9662]

@@Lebowski55 if I took a D it would be Zeev Buium.