The 2024 NHL Entry Draft will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start looking at who the Blue Jackets could pick with the fourth overall pick on Friday, June 28.
Macklin Celebrini will be the first pick in the draft and will go to the San Jose Sharks. Many consider him to be behind Bedard in terms of skill, but not by much. Missing out on winning the lottery yet again was another blow to the most tortured fans in the NHL, but there will still be a very good player available at fourth overall. The second player we will take a look at is Artyom Levshunov.
Artyom Levshunov, a ready-made defenseman from Michigan State, posted 9-26-35 in 38 games with the Spartans as a freshman. A good friend and friend of the blog who works at Michigan State and watched Levshunov consistently over the last year (@JD_Jerbear on Twitter) and here are his insights:
Jerbear: He’s a big dude who isn’t stiff at all, moves very very well for his size. Love big minutes, great vision to make plays and he’s relaxed with the puck on his stick allowing him to wait out a shooting lane. He was also one of the youngest players in all of college hockey. Dude is a beast.
MrSwift: Got a pro comp?
Jerbear: Hhmmmm. So first jump is Brent Burns. Now he’s not that high end offensively like Burns but similar size profile and stuff. And Hedman feels a little bit setting expectations too high but… that’s a comp that fits too
via friend of the blog @JD_Jerbear on Twitter
Artyom Levshunov
Position: Defenseman
Team: Michigan State
Date of Birth: December 10, 2005
Birthplace: Zhlobin, Belarus
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 209 lbs
Shoots: Right
Rankings
Ranked #3 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #4 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #3 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #5 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #6 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #4 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #7 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #2 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #9 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #3 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #2 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #3 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #2 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
Ranked #3 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #10 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #9 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #2 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #7 by SMAHT SCOUTING
2023-24 Stats
Michigan State (NCAA)
Games: 38
Goals: 9
Assists: 26
Points: 35
PIM: 44
Scouting Reports
After beginning to take over games offensively and show a more dynamic element over the second half of last season in the USHL, he played with an abundance of confidence and identity in college hockey this season (even if that identity is a little haywire at times). He already possessed all of the tools he needed to become a stud, and he just keeps getting better and better. The decision-making is a little raw, but he’s very much still learning it, and the raw tools are incredibly appealing. With continued fine-tuning, I believe there’s first-pairing upside there. I was very high on him coming into this season, and he still exceeded my expectations. The Spartans have won his 22-23 minutes a game handily most nights. He’s a force.
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
He is the most complete package for a defenseman. He’s just a beast physically. … He’s got the right kind of confidence. He’s not cocky, he’s just really motivated. I spent a lot of time with Artyom early in the year and every game now at Michigan State, you’re talking 50-plus NHL personnel. The game I was there, I walked around, did a head count and it was 56 and that included two general managers. He’s really got a lot of people talking about him.
Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting