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Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Chicago Blackhawks’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system. This page will be updated throughout the 2024 NHL Draft.
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2024 draft grade: A
I’m a huge fan of Artyom Levshunov, and that’s a large reason for the big grade on Chicago’s draft. After Levshunov, they went out and got a lot of forwards with well-rounded games. They added a lot of size and speed in this class. I don’t know if they added tremendous natural skill up front, but if Sacha Boisvert hits you could get scoring out of him in the NHL. They acquired several players who could fill out their bottom six in time, and a potential star defenseman in Levshunov.
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Draft Class
2. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State Univ. (NCAA)
October 28, 2005 | 6′ 2″ | 209 pounds
Tier: Bubble elite NHL player and NHL All-Star
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: High-end
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Brent Burns
Analysis: Levshunov was the best defenseman in the Big Ten this season and a big part of Michigan State being a top team. He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puck-handler and passer. He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. He has the offensive sense to potentially run a PP1 in the NHL and has a good point shot, too. His defensive play doesn’t stand out as much, particularly because he tries to attack so much, but he can make stops due to his athleticism and has physicality in his game. He is too aggressive at times, and plays like a forward too much for some scouts’ liking. He makes enough stops to ease most evaluators’ concerns given how much offense he brings. He has the potential to be an impact NHL defenseman who scores at a premium level.
Pick grade: A-
Thoughts on the pick: In Levshunov, Chicago got my second-rated player in the draft, but a player who by no means was universally agreed upon at that number. Chicago has some great young defenders in their organization, but Levshunov is a whole other level of talent. He was playing at a level equivalent to pond hockey two years ago, and was one of the best defensem*n in college hockey this past season. He’s big, mobile and has a ton of natural skill and offensive sense. He is a budding star who I felt was being unfairly picked apart in the pre-draft process. He is a rare piece with star upside you can build a winner around.
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18. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
March 17, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 183 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Josh Norris
Analysis: Boisvert has been a highly productive USHL player over the last two seasons. He has a lot of appealing tools for the NHL. He’s a 6-2 center who can skate and has legit offensive abilities. He is very skilled and instinctive with the puck. He’s able to beat defenders with pace as well. Boisvert has an excellent shot and is a threat to score from the faceoff dots. I don’t love his playmaking as he’s certainly more of a shoot-first type of player but he can make tough plays. His compete is fine. He’s not going to be known for that aspect of his game but he wins enough battles and uses his size. He could be a middle-six forward in the NHL.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: Boisvert checks a lot of boxes for the NHL. He’s big, skates well, has good skill and scoring ability, and competes well enough. The believers in him see major offensive upside. I see more of a potential third-line center, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest he could be a second-line player if he hits. He brings some much needed size to the Chicago forward group of prospects. There was buzz he was going to go this high in the lead-up to the draft.
27. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
April 12, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 165 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Vanacker had a strong second OHL season scoring at over a point-per-game clip for Brantford but he wasn’t great with Canada in the spring. He’s a strong skating winger with very good hands. He can beat defenders often off the rush and creates a lot of controlled entries. Vanacker isn’t going to run players over, but he’s a decent-sized forward who works hard, wins a lot of 50/50 pucks and gets to the net to create offense. He makes plays, but I wouldn’t call him a top-tier playmaker or a true offensive threat. He has the traits of a bottom-six wing in the league.
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Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: Vanacker was a projected late-first-round pick due to his tenacity while being a strong skater and puck handler. He’s not the flashiest player in the world, and I have some questions on how much offense he will have in the NHL, but he looks like an NHL forward coaches will love.
67. John Mustard, LW, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
August 16, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Mustard had a great season in Waterloo after coming up from U16 hockey in New Jersey the prior season. He’s one of the best skaters in the draft. Mustard is a burner. Not a Sunday barbeque burner, but one who will get by NHL defensem*n consistently. He attacks constantly with his skating and skill and creates a lot of offense off the rush. He’s skilled but I appreciate how he doesn’t try to hot dog too much with the puck. Mustard has a good wrist shot, and relishes the opportunity to use it. He plays a strong north/south game, but he doesn’t make a ton of plays to others. His compete is OK. He isn’t overly physical and doesn’t kill penalties but his effort is good enough. If that part of his game improves he has a clear path to being a regular NHL player but his skating should get him games.
72. AJ Spellacy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
February 24, 2006 | 6′ 3″ | 201 pounds
Analysis: Spellacy is a good-sized center who skates well and has legit NHL footspeed. He competes well enough and doesn’t shy from playing the body. He has the physical toolkit for the pro game, but whether he has the natural puck skills and hockey sense are questions. I don’t see him create many plays and he looks limited with the puck.
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92. Jack Pridham, RW, West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
October 8, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 176 pounds
Analysis: Pridham was very good at the prep level in 2023 but in the BCHL this season, he didn’t have the offensive year some expected. He’s a good skater who can show instances of strong skill and playmaking ability and can finish from range as well. Pridham will need to show more interior offense and give a more consistent effort to translate to the higher levels.
138. Joel Svensson, C, Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
April 15, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds
163. Ty Henry, LHD, Erie Otters (OHL)
July 19, 2006 | 6′ 4″ | 198 pounds
Analysis: Henry is a good-sized defenseman who skates well but his puck play is quite limited in terms of his skill and decisions.
Beat writer’s analysis
The Blackhawks had a ton picks for the third consecutive year under general manager Kyle Davidson and again feel like they’ve taken a step forward in their rebuild. Most notably, they made eight first-round picks over those three years. The breakdown of that is five forwards and three defensem*n.
With making Levshunov their first pick this year, Davidson believes he has the crown piece to an elite defense. It’s the area he prioritized in the rebuild.
The Blackhawks also continued to add to their stable of high-end skating forwards. That was especially true with their three third-round picks. The Blackhawks definitely have a type.
Whether this all works out, time will tell, but the Blackhawks have certainly made enough early-round picks over the last three years to significantly alter their prospect pipeline and eventually their NHL roster. — Scott Powers
(Photo of Artyom Levshunov: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman
