The Chicago Blackhawks did not have a good road trip. They went 0-3-1 after having a great homestand right before.
They did, however, have one bright spot come out of the losing. Ahead of the second game on the trip, they called up top prospect Artyom Levshunov.
Levshunov, a defenseman, was the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft out of Michigan State. They believe he can be one of the pillars of the blue line for a long time.
The young defenseman started the year injured in the AHL so it took him a while to get going. The kid who skated in training camp is a lot different than the one who made his NHL debut this week. He did not look out of place at all.
Of course, there were learning moments for Levhsunov over the three days but he looks like an NHL defenseman.
In his debut against the Avalanche, he started on the third pair but ended up having 20:55 of ice time. By his third career game, he was leading the team in TOI.
There were two goals-against in particular vs the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night that he can learn from and he will. Outside of those mistakes, he looked strong physically and positionally when defending.
Only Quinn Hughes of Vancouver, one of the best defensemen in the NHL, had more ice time than Levshunov on either team in that game and it wasn't by much (0:18).
In the same match, on the offensive side of things, he collected his first career NHL point with an assist on Wyat Kaiser's goal. Levhunov made a good pass up to Kaiser who scored with a beautiful shot.
Levshunov isn't expected to be a shutdown defenseman or an offensive powerhouse in the NHL. He is looked at as a player with a high ceiling as a two-way top-pair blue liner.
"I'm so excited," Levshunov said on earning his first career NHL point. "I want to score. And to win. You've got to win, too. A win is more important." He continued with a smile.
Levshunov has yet to experience a win in the NHL but he isn't going anywhere any time soon so he should be a part of one soon.
"I feel good, especially tonight." Levshunov said when asked about how he feels three games into his NHL career. It's clear that he doesn't like to lose but he knows that focusing on getting better is the key to moving forward.
Connor Murphy, who was the only plus player on the Blackhawks against the Canucks on Saturday night, also spoke on Levshunov after the game.
“It’s been impressive to see him play his game and not be timid at all,” Murphy said on his new young teammate. “It’s not easy being that young, especially as a defenseman playing a lot of defending minutes like we do. He seems to have good gaps and be not afraid to keep pucks alive and he’s strong when breaking them up too.”
Murphy is the longest-tenured Blackhawks player and knows a thing or two about getting better as he ages in the NHL. His high praise for his teammate speaks volumes.
Now, Levshunov will get to experience being a Chicago Blackhawks player at home for the first time in his career. They will host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night at United Center.
Playing his first career NHL home game should provide him with another spark as if he needed more juice to his game. He's off to a great start so he must focus on the little things that are making him successful right off the jump.
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