In the world of hockey, the 2024 NHL Draft was a highly anticipated event. With teams scrambling to secure the best prospects for their rosters, fans and analysts alike were eager to see which players would be selected first overall. Among those closely watched were Artyom Levshunov and Ivan Demidov, two promising young talents with impressive skills on the ice.
The Blackhawks, in particular, had their eyes set on both players. According to reports, General Manager Kyle Davidson was actively trying to acquire an additional top-5 pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets to ensure he could draft both Levshunov and Demidov. The deal was reportedly 'close' between the teams, but ultimately fell through when Columbus expressed a preference for center Cayden Lindstrom over the two prospects.
Despite this setback, Davidson and his team were not deterred. They still managed to secure some impressive picks throughout the draft. With their second pick at 18th overall, they selected Sacha Boisvert, a forward from Muskegon (USHL) who boasts impressive goal-scoring and two-way skills.
At 27th overall, they picked Marek Vanacker, another forward from Brantford (OHL), who also showed great potential. The Blackhawks continued to add talent to their roster with the selection of John Mustard at 72nd overall and AJ Spellacy at 93rd overall.
Meanwhile, other teams were making waves in the draft as well. For instance, Utah Hockey Club made a splash by landing Tij Iginla, the son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, with their sixth overall pick. The young forward had an impressive rookie campaign in the WHL and is expected to bring valuable skills to his new team.
Despite all the excitement and deals made during the draft, it's important to remember that these prospects still have a long way to go before making it to the NHL. Their development will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as they work towards becoming valuable contributors for their respective teams.
