There Should be New Expectations for the Blackhawks’ Artyom Levshunov – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov was drafted second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. General manager Kyle Davidson decided to select the defenseman over a forward, which is still needed today. 

Connor Bedard was up on the draft stage with the front office and Levshunov when the pick was made, showing he was on board with the plan. 

Levshunov’s expectations were through the roof as a top-five pick two years ago. He’ll always carry the weight of being drafted over Ivan Demidov, even though he’s not the one who did it, whether that’s right or wrong. He was expected to be the number-one defenseman, but a slow start to his career delayed that. With Bowen Byram on the team now, what is the new demand for Levshunov? 

Artyom Levshunov’s Young Journey

“Journey” and “roller coaster” are perfect phrases to describe Levshunov’s first couple of years in the Blackhawks organization so far. Coming out of Michigan State University, he was touted as the best defenseman in the 2024 Draft and was drafted as such second overall after Macklin Celebrini went first to the San Jose Sharks. After Levshunov was selected, he left Michigan State immediately to be developed in Chicago. 

Levshunov started the 2024-25 season with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League (AHL). Levshunov recorded 22 points in 50 games with the IceHogs, proving himself enough to get the call-up to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on March 10, and by the end of the Blackhawks 2024-25 campaign, he had six assists in 18 games. Levshunov was eventually sent back down to the AHL to assist with the IceHogs’ short playoff run, although he did have an overtime goal in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

Last season was when the wheels started to dramatically fall off the bus. Levshunov played his first full season in the NHL, and it came with a lot of growing pains. A lot of times, he would putter about in his own end, look lost, and lack overall physicality. On top of that, he was out of position many times; everything would snowball and lead to a poor shift. It all led to him being scratched pre-Olympic break for what head coach Jeff Blashill called a “reset.” Then, a wrist injury ended his rookie season early and he missed the final nine games. 

It wasn’t all bad, though. His offensive talents showed, and he was given the responsibility of being the quarterback on the power play, and he led it with his vision and passing. Levshunov finished the season with 22 points in 68 games. On the defensive end, he was able to break the puck out better after the Olympic break, showed signs of improving the defensive side of his game, and got better in the neutral zone and zone entries. There’s still a lot more potential, and the coaches and organization know it. 

Should There Be New Expectations?

While everyone in the Blackhawks front office and coaching staff still believes, there’s no doubt that Byram coming in changes things. The expectations have definitely shifted. 

When Levshunov was drafted, he was meant to be the future number-one defender. Now, Byram has been given that key and was even paid like it at the beginning of July when he was given a six-year, $12.5 million average annual value extension that begins in the 2027-28 season. Davidson gave Byram that deal before he played a game with Chicago so the trust in him is sky-high. 

With Byram in the Windy City, Levshunov takes a step back in the grand picture, but not a big one, and it could be beneficial. Byram is going to have all of the pressure of being “the guy” on the defensive core, and since he’s 25 years old and has more experience, it’ll be easier on his shoulders. Levshunov, 20 years old and going into his sophomore campaign, can just focus on playing his game and becoming a better hockey player.

Bedard was up on that stage when Levshunov was drafted because he believed in the front office and the process; it’s the main reason why he re-signed long term with Chicago. The front office was also proving a point, saying that Bedard was their franchise guy. 

Who’s to say that the same thing can’t happen with Levshunov, just that he and Byram are the defensive one-two duo?