Scott Wheeler takes us inside Artyom Levshunov's journey from Belarus to the top of the 2024 NHL Draft.
One snippet from his former coach Michael Leone:
By the end of camp, Leone, who’d spent three seasons at USA Hockey’s national program as an assistant coach, working directly with the top 2003, 2004 and 2005-born American stars and coaching more than a dozen first-round picks (including top-10 selections like Luke Hughes, Logan Cooley and Will Smith), already believed Levshunov was “the most gifted player (he’d) ever worked with.”
By season’s end, he was sure of it.
“Luke Hughes is an unbelievable talent, but I think Arty has more upside just because of his size,” Leone told The Athletic last April, still unsure if Levshunov would return for a second season in Green Bay or make the jump to college. “This kid is like 6-foot-3, 215 (pounds) and the complete package. The games where he and (Macklin) Celebrini played against each other, it was awesome and both of them were the best players on the ice and you’re like, ‘This is so good for our league.’”
After starting him in a sheltered role, Leone found himself doing everything he could to get him more minutes as the year went on. Though Levshunov didn’t start on the penalty kill, he finished as Leone’s best penalty killer and a top shot blocker. Though he posted 13 goals and 42 points in 62 games (both of which are among the most by an under-18 defenseman in the league’s history) and was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Team and Third All-Star Team, Leone guesses he hit 15 posts.
“He could have 20 goals, no question,” Leone said. “He just had to get used to the North American game and his responsibilities in his own zone. And you can see it now. Like he has the ability to be an elite defender.”
When Leone talks about him, he, too, is in disbelief.
“This kid’s a top-five pick, no brainer. He’s special. And he’s not even close to his ceiling I don’t think, which is crazy,” Leone said. “He’s a legit No. 1 in the NHL. Some of the stuff he does is incredible. If you wanted to take a defenseman, you could argue you could take him at No. 1 or No. 2 depending on what your organizational needs are. I knew he was good but I just had no idea. It’s amazing. And it’s unheard of out of Belarus.”
by dangshnizzle
3 Comments
Why is this a debate? If we take Levshunov, we drown in defensive prospects when we have EDM, Allan, Rinzel, Kaiser, Philips, etc in the back waiting for a roster spot opening. The other hand, if we take Demidov *checks notes* wow, he immediately slots into the roster past at least 9 other players on the forward group when he comes over.
This choice is a no brainer.
Despite my bias, lots to like about Levshunov. Kid has an insane work ethic, is an immediate leader by example, and has really grown a ton since coming to NA ice. He’s got the perfect toolkit for a Dman between his size, height, elite skating, long reach, powerful shot, etc. The question with Levshunov really just ends up being – can he reach his ceiling, or does he end up like a lot of public scouts project as a #2/#3? If you’re confident he reaches his ceiling and you can coach the weaknesses you gotta go for him. If there are any doubts, then you go Demidov. In my mind Levshunov has the best toolkit out of any Dman in the draft, but lacks the skill Demidov has. If you have no questions that you can coach the skill, well then you take Levshunov. Simple as that.
I think there’s merit in drafting him despite not having him at my personal #2. RHD is a need, Davidson’s mold is a big fast defenseman, and we have a good development system. He’s mocked top 5 for a reason.