After the 2023-24 season, the Chicago Blackhawks were trying to rebound from another poor campaign. They had drafted Connor Bedard with the top pick the year prior — and he had won the Calder Trophy — but the Hawks’ puzzle still had many pieces to find.

The Hawks finished 23-53-6 and ranked in the bottom half of the league in many categories. The team scored 2.17 goals per game (last in the NHL) while allowing 3.52 a game (fourth-highest in the NHL).

They needed a presence to block shots and be a skater who ends opponents’ scoring chances. With the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, the Hawks selected their next young defenseman, Artyom Levshunov from Zhlobin, Belarus.

He made his NHL debut on March 10 of last season. In 18 games, he averaged 20 minutes and 19 seconds of ice time and had s

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