Who should the Chicago Blackhawks select 2nd overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft?

[Kevin Musto]

It's relevant because we can't watch them compete against the best teams in the world (Canada, US, Sweden, Finland. etc)

They haven't played at the highest level possible yet because they're banned from international competition....that makes drafting a Russian risky imo.

Shouldn't put too much stock in tournaments anyway.

It's really only an issue for Demidov because he hardly played outside the MHL.

The other top Russian players (Silayev, Artamonov, Chernyshov) got KHL games. The KHL isn't what it used to be, but it's still a lot easier to make projections on it compared to the MHL.

 

[OhCaptainMyCaptain]

While that's a cute thought....it still doesn't mean **** until you see the guy actually have to perform at another level.

Draft Thoughts 101 right here.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Draft Thoughts 101 right here.

He played 4 games in the KHL, 7:30 average per game. About 30 minutes total fourth line ice time.

It would be nice if he had at least 10 games with decent ice time & decent line mates so we could at least gauge readiness on a limited sample size. In theory that was possible but as said here he's been jacked around.


What we know is that this season he was head and shoulders the best swimmer in the kiddie pool over there.

 

[TheFridge]

Sure but he has been playing there for two seasons now and playing against two or three years older players. 71 games and 122 points in regular season and 41 points in 27 playoff games in that period. He has produced there better than Michkov did. Not saying that he is better or will be than Michkov but just saying. This kid is special.

He didn't produce better than Michkov did. Michkov was 1.82 PpG in his D-1 year, Demidov was 1.45 PpG last year. While Michkov spent his draft year entirely in the MHL, Michkov spent his entirely in the VHL/KHL.

 

[Kevin Musto]

@DisgruntledHawkFan Why don't you believe in freedom? Why don't you believe in free speech?

You're not a real American

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

@DisgruntledHawkFan Why don't you believe in freedom? Why don't you believe in free speech?

You're not a real American

I'm not the federal government.

 

[Giovi]

@DisgruntledHawkFan Why don't you believe in freedom? Why don't you believe in free speech?

You're not a real American

Maybe he just saw the wisdom in axing a draft thread about two guys who are already in the poll on this draft thread?

Seems like a common sense idea.

 

[hawksfan50]

I do not think Levshunov's brain is motvcatching upto hos tools...In $9.5's case the statement is 209% correct...$9.5 's brain will never catch up to his tools..but the point t is wexare stuck with $9.5 as ourx1st pairing RD force more seasons. YOU do not draft any RD at #2 that high who willbe stuck as only a 2RD for 6 more seasons.. you just cannot be so stupid to do that.

If you want to argue that Vlasic should only be a 2nd pairing LD and that KK can never beca first pairing LF then maybe you make a case of drafting Dickinson or Silayevif you think their ceiling is 1st oairk g LD..

But though Hawks need a 3nd pairing RD of superior competence that Murphy,you can get that layer in this draft or hope Ronzel can be that ..but yhebpibtbis $9.5 is decacto 1RD for 7 more sti king yeats@

Nothing changes that fact...so no do not take what you think is a 2st pairing g RD who has zero chance to ever play that role till 7 srssobs from now...it makes no sense!

 

[EddieTheEagle]

He didn't produce better than Michkov did. Michkov was 1.82 PpG in his D-1 year, Demidov was 1.45 PpG last year. While Michkov spent his draft year entirely in the MHL, Michkov spent his entirely in the VHL/KHL.

Where are you getting your stats?

Demidov has been destroying the MHL for years:

Year	Club	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/_		GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/_
2021-22	SKA St. Petersburg U17	Russia U17	11	14	12	26	18	-
	SKA-Varyagi St. Petersburg	MHL	12	6	8	14	13	-5
	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	13	4	3	7	8	0
	Russia U18 (all)	International-Jr	9	3	4	7	4	2
2022-23	SKA St. Petersburg	KHL	2	0	0	0	0	0
	SKA-Varyagi St. Petersburg	MHL	3	0	2	2	4	-2
*******	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	41	19	43	62	16	31	Playoffs	10	5	8	13	6	10
	Russia U18 (all)	International-Jr	1	0	0	0	0	0
2023-24	SKA St. Petersburg	KHL	4	0	0	0	0	0
	SKA-Neva St. Petersburg	VHL	1	0	0	0	0	-1
*******	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	30	23	37	60	20	47	Playoffs	17	11	17	28	37	19

 

[Hattrick Kane]

@DisgruntledHawkFan Why don't you believe in freedom? Why don't you believe in free speech?

You're not a real American

You’re not American.

 

[TheFridge]

Where are you getting your stats?

Demidov has been destroying the MHL for years:

Year	Club	League	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/_		GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/_
2021-22	SKA St. Petersburg U17	Russia U17	11	14	12	26	18	-
	SKA-Varyagi St. Petersburg	MHL	12	6	8	14	13	-5
	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	13	4	3	7	8	0
	Russia U18 (all)	International-Jr	9	3	4	7	4	2
2022-23	SKA St. Petersburg	KHL	2	0	0	0	0	0
	SKA-Varyagi St. Petersburg	MHL	3	0	2	2	4	-2
*******	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	41	19	43	62	16	31	Playoffs	10	5	8	13	6	10
	Russia U18 (all)	International-Jr	1	0	0	0	0	0
2023-24	SKA St. Petersburg	KHL	4	0	0	0	0	0
	SKA-Neva St. Petersburg	VHL	1	0	0	0	0	-1
*******	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg	MHL	30	23	37	60	20	47	Playoffs	17	11	17	28	37	19

Go back and read what the commenter said I responded to. No one said he wasn't impressive in the MHL (for what it's worth).

 

[EddieTheEagle]

Go back and read what the commenter said I responded to. No one said he wasn't impressive in the MHL (for what it's worth).

Totally fair. I apologize, as I was looking at the wrong year when assessing pre-draft and draft year performance. I think people are just saying that Demidov's 2.00 pts/game season was one of the best seen in the MHL.

Michkov D-1: 1.82 pts/game
Michkov D0: KHL

Demidov D-1: 1.51 pts/game
Demidov D0: 2.00 pts/game

 

[Pez68]

The fact that Demidov doesn't need surgery on his knee is huge as well. Sure him not training for 6-8 weeks will suck for him but it isn't a death sentence.

Hawks can still potentially pick a guy like Jiricek with that #20 pick too.

According to his agent, and/or Russian doctors. This is the second knee injury this season for him. The knee is a huge concern, and there's absolutely NO way him, or his agent, tell the truth about it this close to the draft... You draft him at 2, and he's getting his knee scoped a week later. What then?

 

[clydesdale line]

According to his agent, and/or Russian doctors. This is the second knee injury this season for him. The knee is a huge concern, and there's absolutely NO way him, or his agent, tell the truth about it this close to the draft... You draft him at 2, and he's getting his knee scoped a week later. What then?

You don't think the Hawks will do their due diligence on that with his medicals? If they don't draft him at 2, that will likely be the reason why. I'm pretty sure Davidson and company will cover all their bases. Even if let's just say it is a knee scope, unless he completely tore every ligament in his knee, it's still not a death sentence. Kid is 18.

 

[WarriorofTime]

According to his agent, and/or Russian doctors. This is the second knee injury this season for him. The knee is a huge concern, and there's absolutely NO way him, or his agent, tell the truth about it this close to the draft... You draft him at 2, and he's getting his knee scoped a week later. What then?

You wait for it to heal?

 

[TLEH]

We've taken enough picks so far. We'll have a lot more this year too. We likely have enough pieces to fill out a bottom 6 already. We need to hit on some elite guys. You don't do that by playing it safe.

Take Demidov at 2 and try and move up from 20 if you can. Either that or take some highly skilled guy with flaws at 20. Like Jiricek who hasn't played in a year.

 

[Kevin Musto]

We've taken enough picks so far. We'll have a lot more this year too. We likely have enough pieces to fill out a bottom 6 already. We need to hit on some elite guys. You don't do that by playing it safe.

Take Demidov at 2 and try and move up from 20 if you can. Either that or take some highly skilled guy with flaws at 20. Like Jiricek who hasn't played in a year.

Demidov is the safe pick at 2, as that is what the hivemind continues to preach.

 

[Pez68]

You don't think the Hawks will do their due diligence on that with his medicals? If they don't draft him at 2, that will likely be the reason why. I'm pretty sure Davidson and company will cover all their bases. Even if let's just say it is a knee scope, unless he completely tore every ligament in his knee, it's still not a death sentence. Kid is 18.

Again, he's in Russia. How exactly will they be doing their "due diligence" on his medicals? That will be in Russian, performed by Russian doctors, and likely be influenced by his agent. (you know, Russian corruption).

There's absolutely no way to verify the status of his knee without having him come over, and evaluating it yourself.

There are MILLIONS of dollars on the line here. To believe his medicals wouldn't be doctored to show exactly what they need to show to keep him at #2, is naive.

 

[Bedarded]

Again, he's in Russia. How exactly will they be doing their "due diligence" on his medicals? That will be in Russian, performed by Russian doctors, and likely be influenced by his agent. (you know, Russian corruption).

There's absolutely no way to verify the status of his knee without having him come over, and evaluating it yourself.

There are MILLIONS of dollars on the line here. To believe his medicals wouldn't be doctored to show exactly what they need to show to keep him at #2, is naive.

 

[TheFridge]

Again, he's in Russia. How exactly will they be doing their "due diligence" on his medicals? That will be in Russian, performed by Russian doctors, and likely be influenced by his agent. (you know, Russian corruption).

There's absolutely no way to verify the status of his knee without having him come over, and evaluating it yourself.

There are MILLIONS of dollars on the line here. To believe his medicals wouldn't be doctored to show exactly what they need to show to keep him at #2, is naive.

The tinfoil is a little too strong here. There are only millions at stake if he's an excellent player, free and clear of injury. If his knee is shit and he busts, he'll sign an ELC, play it out and fade away. It's not as if they can fake an injury away into a contract actually worth millions of dollars.

What do the doctors get out of faking his medical results? Money? From Milstein?

Besides, we already know Demidov is going to be in North America prior to the draft.

 

[Pez68]

He won't be skating. You know, since he's out 6-8 weeks. lol

Are we to believe that NHL clubs will have him get his knee checked out here? And he would agree to this? Uhh....

 

[EddieTheEagle]

He won't be skating. You know, since he's out 6-8 weeks. lol

Are we to believe that NHL clubs will have him get his knee checked out here? And he would agree to this? Uhh....

He was injured April 24, 2024. He may be healed up by then.

Edit: sorry I forgot to add the condescending "lol" at the end of my post.

 

[Bedarded]

He won't be skating. You know, since he's out 6-8 weeks. lol

Are we to believe that NHL clubs will have him get his knee checked out here? And he would agree to this? Uhh....

In his prospect thread the most recent post is this a quote from his agent in an article posted May 6th:

I don't usually comment on my clients' injuries, but this is different. I can tell you that Ivan won't need surgery. His recovery is going well and he should be back before the draft, ready to train hard in preparation for next season."

 

[Pez68]

He was injured April 24, 2024. He may be healed up by then.

Edit: sorry I forgot to add the condescending "lol" at the end of my post.

Has anyone here actually WATCHED the video of his knee getting f***ed? Color me skeptical of the diagnosis, people. Knees aren't supposed to bend that way.

Same knee he injured in October. It's a huge concern.

He was on crutches for the championship celebration, with a walking boot on his foot...as well.

 

[ChiHawks10]

I'm kinda shocked that he didn't blow ligaments in his knee. That's gross looking.