The Chicago Blackhawks have announced recently the 2nd overall pick hasn’t been decided.

It’s been a toss-up between Ivan Demidov and Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov.

GM Kyle Davidson said the Blackhawks were still deciding on the pick, as the options were plenty in the 1st round of the 2024 NHL draft.

The concerns aren’t entirely due to his birth certificate either.

He’s basically been unchallenged for two years – no pro action, no international action. Slighter-sized winger

Dynamic, but risk attached.

It did seem as if the team was set on Aryom Levshunov, as they have spent the most time with the defenseman.

So are they ditching the idea of Ivan Demidov as a draft option?

According to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, a site which gives important details on prospects and players throughout the hockey world there’s more issues there, rather than just being in Russia.

There’s been skepticism he’s heard, as Demidov hasn’t been challenged like he could be in the NHL, along with the fact he hasn’t seen international action and like Matvei Michkov is a slightly-undersized winger.

Which could work in Artyom Levshunov’s favorite.