The Scouting Report
Artyom Levshunov is an 18-year-old right-handed defenseman prospect who was born in Zhlobin, BLR, Belarus on October, 28 2005. For the past year he has played at Michigan State University, prior to that he played for the Green Bay Gamblers for the 2022-23 season. He has also played for Team Belarus’ U17 and U18 team, as well as for Belarus in the 2020 World Junior Championship. Levshunov will be drafted in the first round, probably around #3.
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Draft Projections
#3 by Inside The Rink
#4 by Elite Prospects
#7 by TSN/Craig Button
#2 NHL Central Scouting (North American Skaters)
Conrad Jack of Inside The Rink has Artyom Levshunov projected at 3rd overall.
I’ve highlighted some of Artyom Levhsunov’s attributes; let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes and areas for improvement.
Diving Deeper
Levshunov could be one of the best defenseman to enter the draft in the last five years, he excels at killing plays between the blue lines, transitioning play up the ice and clean wrist shots. During his 2023-24 season with Michigan State University, he had 35 points in 38 games (nine goals and 26 assists.) He stands at a fully filled out 6’2″ and 209 pounds, giving him quite a bit of defensive range. During his season with Michigan State, he put up 44 penalty minutes, showing that he is capable of holding his own on the ice.
Keeping Up with Play Forward, Backward and Sideways
Levshunov has shown that he is a strong two-way player. He is most effective from the offensive blue line and is comfortable leading the rush and creating zone entries and exits.
He’s a great triple threat as a physical, two-way defenseman and is as competitive as it gets. But then you’ll find his spatial awareness seems to lack in his own zone from time to time. It’s a bit nitpicky because the strengths outweigh the weaknesses, but Levshunov won’t last long on draft day.
Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
Quick, Nimble and Explosive
Levshunov is comfortable as a playmaker and shooter. He has a strong wrist shot and is confident in his passes which was proven this season with almost one point per game. Being a defenseman with a right-hand shot combined with his offensive skills, makes him a hot commodity in the NHL.
His abilities playing the game, passing the puck, closing, jumping up and getting the shot off at the right time. I call them subtleties and nuances but it’s also why he can play such big minutes. There’s almost no wasted energy. Everything is purposeful and efficient.
Craig Button, TSN
Hockey IQ
Artyom Levshunov is a well rounded prospect in the 2024 NHL entry draft, he’s spent the past two seasons really rounding out his abilities to play both defensively and offensively consistently as he has gotten closer to his draft year. He is able to manipulate his opponents with fakes and look-offs, easily bending the opponent on-ice, and can give a big body check when needed. During his time with Michigan State, he was named the NCAA Big-10 freshman player of the year, along with an All-Rookie Team award with the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2022-23 season.
The offense was a calling card heading into college, but Levshunov (who starred in the USHL before that) has also proven he can defend, too. With his size, strength and two-way acumen, an NHL team won’t have to wait long for him to crack their roster.
Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News
Areas for Improvement
Levshunov could improve by playing with a bit more urgency and could improve a bit on his defensive decision making. That should be pretty easy to accomplish as he gets more experience, though.
Prospect Potential
Levshunov will be a hot commodity on draft day, having minimal areas of improvement and already being a well-built two way player it would be surprising to see him be drafted anywhere below fifth. He could easily be a top-four defender with the experience he has in the offensive zone, but it’s also possible that he could be developed into a number one defenseman for the team that drafts him.
Final Thoughts
As previously stated, Artyom Levshunov will be a great asset to the team that drafts him. He does have areas to improve on, but being as well-rounded as he has been in the NCAA and the USHL, that should take no time at all, and he should fit into the NHL with little to no adjustment.
Stats via Elite Prospects
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