"Ivan Demidov, owner of the Dimsdale Demidov!"

He has those Patrick Kane type hands too. I think CHI would be very happy for more of that.

Demidov all the way from this Hawks fan. The notion that having to wait a year for him to come over is kind of silly considering all draft picks except very few require at least 1 year after they're drafted before they're ready to play in the NHL. As for Hawks drafting Russian players - the Hawks drafted Roman Kantserov early in the 2nd round last year (#44) and he in under contract until after the 2025/26 season - so it isn't a problem.

Hawks fan here. Been watching a whooole lot of arm chair q-b’ing on this (of course, that’s what we do this time of year as fans) but peeps really are overthinking things. Hawks need everything everywhere. Goal, D, Offense - you name it we need it. So I believe the pick is best available - and that’s Demidov.

He couldve easily been playing in the KHL this year but it sounds like the teams been punishing him for not signing a contract extension. Hes looking to get out of Russia asap which is good news for teams looking to draft him

I'm hoping for Demidov. The Hawks are thin on high-end forwards. Lots of good D men in the system already.

Had to rewatch after the habs picked him up. Very Excited!!! 🔥

I’m a Hawks fan and I’m all in on them drafting Demidov! He looks so dynamic and creative. I think they can find defensemen value with the 18th pick, hopefully Adam Jiricek will still be there!!

Demidov outperformed Kucherov in the MHL. Demidov will be fine.

Russian scouts are saying he is 6ft+ and 190lbs. Hawks are taking him.

Recent emphasis on the measure of a prospects desire and work ethic should be called the Yakapov Scale.

I hope Chicago drafts Demidov.

Great video! More Blackhawks content please! I think there’s a 70% chance Demidov is their guy. He will be the best talent available and GMKD will go that route I believe

This Demidov kid is one of the most exciting players you'll ever watch. The way he skates and plays the game is so unorthodox yet beautiful. As a Blackhawks fan this is my pick, I'll be disappointed if we pass up on him

Reading over these comments you’d think San Jose would be crazy to pass up Demidov. “Well we all know Celebrini will go first, whatever, but have you seen this Demidov kid, he’ll be the next blah blah etc.”

I think it has to be Demidov. A lot of our (Blackhawks) forward prospects don't really project as top-line forwards right now. Nazar and Moore seem like the pair for the second line. Too early to tell on guys like Lardis, Misiak, Kantserov, Hayes, and Greene. Another forward at 1.18 might even be the move, honestly.

Levshunov will likely be a really good player but i think if they pass on Demidov they will have big regretzkies.

Thanks for PASSING on DEMIDOV ...!! MONTREAL will benefit greatly from this amazing draft pick ..!! He is being touted as the next KUCHEROV !! GO HABS ..!!😂

Cayden Lidstrom would give a Chicago a potent 1-2 punch down the middle.

Great vid…thank you! I don’t think the Hawks can pass up on Demi! Bedard + Demidov = 👍👍👍

Demidov sounds like some sort monster from stranger things but I’m all for it

The feeling is Levshunov, but Demidov is who I’m hoping for.

Demidov will be the pick for the Hawks if they are going best player, I also heard he is at least six foot now.

Demidov is the best prospect since McDavid, and the Habs got him.

Should have drafted Demidov at two, thanks Chicago.

Chicago need to get Levshunov, proper RD's are hard to come by

That's what I think really makes this draft one to watch is because we ALL know Macklin Celebrini is expected to be the 1st overall pick, But after that, Things could get interesting because we could some players go earlier than expected and we could some players go later than expected.

The Blackhawks are in an ideal and very interesting position in this year's draft. They have picks #2 and #18 (after trading up with NYI earlier this week), and rumor has it that the Hawks would like to trade up even higher. More on that later. This year's draft is filled with very good RD prospects which are typically coveted because they are hard to find. Next year's draft isn't expected to be heavy with RD. Does this mean the Hawks go with the best RD, Artyom Levshunov, at #2 and take a forward at #18 knowing that they have 2 more 1st rounders coming in the 2025 draft? Maybe, but the opportunity presented by great depth at a given position is that you can maximize your pick's value by taking one later in the 1st round and using the 2nd overall pick on the best player available (in this case Demidov), thus maximizing the value of BOTH picks. There are 4 RD expected to be selected in the top 17 picks with 2 more projected to still go later in the 1st round after the Hawks 2nd pick at #18. If the Hawks are able to trade up into the top 12 picks, they would ensure themselves of getting 1 of those top 4 RD, and that would enable the Hawks (and make it much more likely) to maximize the value of their 2 first rounders by taking Demidov at #2 and the best available RD (likely Yakemchuk) with their 2nd first rounder. While Chicago does have RD Seth Jones under contract thru 2029-30 and RD prospect 2022 1st rounder Sam Rinzel in the pipeline, veteran RD Connor Murphy is only signed for 2 more years, and only has one year in which he's played 80 games in his last six seasons. All of his other seasons he's played less than 60 games. Plus, outside of Rinzel, there are no noteworthy RD prospects in the system. It is clear that the Hawks need some high-ceiling talent at the RD position. That said, and as previously discussed, the Hawks don't have to use the 2nd overall pick on a RD. They also have the 18th, 34th and 50th picks this season in a draft that his unusually deep in RD prospects. BUT, there is something to be said for taking the BEST RD prospect. It is unlikely that the Hawks will be picking this high in the draft for a long time. It is also unlikely that another draft will be so heavy in RD prospects for a long time. The Hawks take a big risk by trying to get too cute and thread the needle here. You've got Levshunov staring you right in the face at #2. You know you won't be able to get this good of a RD prospect on a rookie contract for a very, very long time. And you know that your organization could really use an excellent RD in the near future. If the Hawks are unable to move up from #18 to around #12 or #13, they risk missing out on getting one of a very talented group of RD prospects. Can they afford to take that risk? Free agent RD that can play in your top pairing are rare and when they do become available, they are very expensive. To get in on the ground floor of such a player is ideal, especially for a team in a rebuild. So for me, if the Hawks can move up in the draft PRIOR to its beginning to just outside the top ten picks, then they should definitely take Demidov. If they can't move up, they're taking an awfully big risk by passing on Levshunov.

I would say so, although Levshunov is intriguing.

Bob Mckenzies Lottery ranking had him at 2

Hey THG! Bob's most recent ranking actually has him at #2. Sportsnet Cosentino says he's more talented than Levshunov (the #2) but has him ranked at #3 because of Russia! Hockey Prospecting's List hasn't been updated since Jan but Dobber/Recruit/Smaht/ISS/Daily Faceoff/etc. All have him at #2. I think the rankings you chose may have been misleading because they're either out of date, writers not scouts, or are ones that focus on country of origin, not skill. It's almost universal that Demidov is #2 based on skill in the most recent rankings. Ik you mentioned that you don't have the most updated rankings but just in the future it may be more helpful to use the most up to date scouting reportings, not old reports by writers.

He will be a tremendous asset for the team who drafted him.

You never know when they get to the NHL--Celebrini may not live up to his billing, Demidov may be a better pick.

Seems to me that hockey positions, at least for forwards, has become you either can take face-offs or your 3rd option. With the forwards interchanging of both offense and defense. That is the only thing I really see that is strictly positional now.

Im rooting for Levshunov for the hawks (totally biased MSU alum and it would be awesome to watch him move to my nhl team) but the more i hear about demidov i have to admit he looks solid too, at this point i think id be sad if we didnt get levshunov but demidov would be a good consolation prize

As a Habs fan I hope they don't but it's wishful thinking I suppose.

Demidov...book it

YES

Demidov is 6' 05" and 190lbs which I'd fantastic! I'm hoping we get him at #2! He's so dynamic with the puck

Go Habs Go!

ivan "bpa" demidov aka "the dagger" should be the pick at #2 for the hawks (fingers crossed). rinzel's numbers at minnesota this past year are close to the numbers put up by lev. plus, kaiser, edm (who played some right side in rockford), and allan are otw as well. bedard needs reinforcements, he needs a comrade.

The reason why I think Demidov is THE fit for Hawks is because of his hockey sense/skill. His gamestyle matches that of Bedard where he forces the defensive structure to make a play on him if they don't he'll eat you alive... and when they commit, he'll burn you by getting puck to open man or out skill the opponent... he's a player that breaks down defense... absolutely lethal if combined with Bedard...

If he makes it to 5th I’d lose my mind. If not then hopefully Caiden is there.

THG you said @ 0:46 "Odds are . . . . " after posting a vid about The Ongoing Sports Gambling Advertising Issue . . . I am giving you a hard time

Cheers

I have got to say Chicago is looking like it is having a bright future with Bedard and now another top 3 pick. Let's see how they turn out. As an Oilers fan I am just glad my team made the conference finals so that first rounder we gave up goes to the bottom four lol.

What year does everyone expect the Hawks to make the playoffs? 25-26?

According to every Montreal fan he's dropping to the 5th pick lol!!!

I think it's Demidov @ 2 then Kyle from Chicago trades back into the top 10, especially after trading picks with the Islanders a few days ago. Hawks have plenty of picks, time to use them, I would send an offer to Utah to try to get to 6

I'll be putting money on Levshunov at 2.

If RD prospects are as hard to come by as a lot of analysts say then I think the obvious choice is Lev. If he falls to the ducks I am jumping for joy! Ducks are in the best position in my opinion. Either way they get their RD of the future or a winger with upside to score 100 points someday. (I think that’s a bit high but it’s what a lot of people are saying about Demi).

Scott powers is reporting he’s now at 184 centimeters

I think so. After the Hawks moved up to #18 by making that trade with the Islanders, Chicago can now probably draft Adam Jiricek at #18, giving them the right side defenseman they passed on by not taking Levshunov at #2. Anaheim would probably take Levshunov at #3, giving them back the blue liner they gave up when they traded Jamie Drysdale for Cutter Gauthier. Columbus at #4 then most likely takes Cayden Lindstrom.

One thing folks are not taking onto account IMO os that Davidson REALLY likes good skaters. Nazar, moore, even Bedard. Even Vlassic is good for his size And as other have said, its harder to get top emd RHD than forwards. For that reason i really think they go with levshunov at #2 and a wonger at ,#18 (or higher ofnthey trade up).

I have a feeling if Hawks go Demidov, the ducks will go Levshunov. If Hawks take Levshunov, I feel like the Ducks will take Lindstrom or Silayev

I'm really hoping they pick Demidov. If they take Lev i wont be mad but man the combo of Dem and Bedard would be lightning in a bottle.

according to many users on capfriendly, the blackhawks are very high on dickinson. but i'm a jets fan and i think the hawks should draft demidov analysis on demidov: speedy skater, good 200-ft player, can shoot from anywhere, smart. defensively he needs to work on his decision making. does have kucherov upside, but in terms of style, i would compare his game to ehlers

all the beat writers are saying they're most likely drafting levshunov, but i'd be happy with either levshunov or demidov

I see Demidov and either Yakemchuk or Iginla.

MTL very happy

If the Hawks decide to solidify their D-core with Levshunov I wonder if the Ducks take Demidov even though he isn't the big skilled two way forward Verbeek prefers.

Is Levshunov a better choice?

I think drafting Demidov would be the right move, the hawks need to draft a foward to help Bedard

Bedard will make an already dynamic Demidov even better! And vice versa!

Bedard Demidov = or > Toews Kane in 10 years? Looks scary on paper that is for sure. Not a fan of this as Stars fan but here we are lol

I think a more interesting question is which players should Chicago fans be happy about Chicago taking. If Chicago takes Demidov or Levshunov, their fans should be happy either way. Can we add anyone else to that list?

i say yes he does .

The NHL should be shaking from the thought of the Blackhawks pairing this kid up with Bedard

He’ll drop to Philly like Michkov did

I think the Hawks need defense more than anything else. However, the Hawks aren’t above hiring players that sell tickets, so that’s my take on the Hawk’s priorities.

Hawks need puck possession.

Demidov would be my choice. I think the Hawks will be fine defensively with the prospects they have.

In Soviet Russia, hockey plays YOU!

Hawks look pretty small if they pick Demidov

Yas

Demidov has my vote as long as he is a long term investment (ie he gets Hawks into Playoffs next season and eventually a Stanley Cup) along the lines of an Ovechkin or Kutcherov, and NOT another Alex Semin, lol.

Ivan Demidov, I think

Connor Bedard? they drafted him 1st overall last year and rightfully so they will be building their team around #98 they're obviously drafting Demidov to play next to bedard for the next 10 years

If anything he’s more Kaprizov rather than Kucherov

I think the Hawks grab him.

I dont think you can build a squad with these small payers as skilled as they are you see when they get to the playoffs how they are shut down and the smaller more skilled teams are out first

It’s really between Demidov and Levshunov for the hawks

Hawks will take him. The perfect winger for Bedard.

As a Ducks fan I hope Hawks grab Demidov so Ducks can happily grab Levshunov. Good sized right handed balanced D man bout last piece our future D core needs. If Levshunov gone at 2 I feel Ducks may go w Anton Silayev who looks real raw still but huge physical potential. I don;t see Ducks grabbin Demidov if he's available w Cutter on his way in not much room in top 6 forward group.

If Russia wasn't so locked down he would be the number 1 pick. Hawks getting number 2 will end up being blessing because they get the best player.

I want the defensemen.............Artyom Levshunov

1:50 Malkin and Ovechkin proved lazy can wprk in the NHL

Chicago will build up and get top picks again and win the cup in a few years… Rinse and repeat. Thanks Bettman!!! Canadians teams haven’t cracked the cup finals since when and always struggle.

He will go number 2 but to Montreal

Demidov for Michkov trade

he better

chicago could use a top RDman though, we are skinny in that department

Think as long as Demidov shows reassurance that he’s willing to play in the NHL as early as next year I think Davidson takes him. If not, it’s probably Levshunov.

I'm going to be very disappointed if the Blackhawks take a defenseman with the #2 pick..... Their need is clearly at forward. Bedard needs help desperately and the Hawks will not get it on the free agent market, they tend to pick up has beens and trade for over the hill washed up players.

NHL gave the Sharks the #1 to distract us from the fact Chicago won the #2, can't believe it worked.

That'd be one soft and small top 6 holy smokes they'd get killed in the playoffs

Most of the Blackhawk pundits and fans I've seen want Demidov. I'm in the minority but I'd like Cayden Lidstrom. I'm also the first to say I'm no scout. I'd feel a lot better about Demidov if he actually got to play in the KHL and played well there.

Remind me again the last time the Hawks picked a Russian early in the draft.....oh yeah, never. I could be wrong, Davidson is the most unpredictable G.M. in the league, so stay tuned.

Iginla is and will be the best player after Celebrini. Levshunov is over rated.

Or does he get sent to Arctic Siberia or Front Lines in Ukraine?