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Blackhawks’ Artyom Levshunov Is Showing Drastic Improvement
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars (David Banks-Imagn Images)

Blackhawks’ Artyom Levshunov Is Showing Drastic Improvement

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers  |  By Jim Precourt  |  Last updated Oct 22, 2026 9:05 AM ET
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“Hockey is fun.”

From being drafted second overall in 2024 to having an adventurous 2025-26 season, having that strawberry shortcake over the summer, and now still trying to find his way in his second full NHL season, perhaps it hasn’t been all fun for Artyom Levshunov. 

Not a lot of things are. 

Levshunov has been on a roller coaster ever since he was drafted. Being selected second overall put the expectation on him that he should shine right away when he comes into the NHL; unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way with defensemen. He’s also carrying the weight, to a certain extent, of being chosen over Ivan Demidov, who just signed an eight-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens over the offseason, even though he had nothing to do with it: it was all the front office. 

Levshunov’s journey over the last three years hasn’t been a straight upward trajectory, and after a rough 2025-26, the consensus was that the Blackhawks should’ve gone with Demidov, and that Levshunov was quickly turning into a bust. 

But after scoring the overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 15, he couldn’t be happier, and he was having fun playing hockey again. 

Levshunov Was Written Off

Levshunov joined NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, general manager Kyle Davidson, and the Blackhawks’ franchise player, Connor Bedard, up on the stage after he was picked second. Davidson was sending a message — those were his two guys who were going to lead the Blackhawks back to their winning ways — he believed. 

From there, Levshunov went on to sign his three-year, entry-level contract right away and join the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). He schooled the competition in Rockford and got the call-up to the Blackhawks, where he played the final 18 games of the 2024-25 campaign with the big club, tallying six assists. 

Last season is where things tumbled downhill. Levshunov wasn’t sheltered anymore; he was tossed into the fire, expected to be the No. 1 defender the Blackhawks needed. All of that was thrown on him without having a full season of NHL experience under his belt. Out on the ice, he always looked lost and was constantly out of position. In his own zone, he turned the puck over more often than not and lacked confidence in his decision-making. 

A wrist injury ended Levshunov’s season early, and at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, he vowed to come back better. And he did. 

Levshunov’s Improvement

Levshunov has looked like a completely different player over the first nine games of the young season. He clearly put a lot of time and effort into getting better over the offseason, and it shows. 

Levshunov’s skating is one of the main improvements. He’s faster and can move around the ice a lot easier. It’s positively affecting his ability to handle and move the puck better, too, as he’s not afraid to move around and take charge when it hits his stick. In the offensive zone, neutral zone, or defensive zone, it doesn’t matter; if there’s a gap, he’s going to take it. 

The overtime period against the Jets didn’t even need two minutes. Bedard entered the zone and attracted two defenders because of how dangerous he is. Bedard gave a behind-the-back pass to Levshunov, who picked it up and waltzed into the slot with a clear path ahead. Levshunov sniped it into the back of the net, and afterwards, skated towards Patrick Kane and jumped into his arms, nearly taking him out due to his excitement. 

With Bowen Byram, they’ve both improved since the season-opening road trip. Levshunov is 21 years old — he’s only going to improve. 

Levshunov was interviewed by Darren Pang after the game-winner, and he said, “Hockey is fun.” That’s what these kids are supposed to do while getting better: have fun. Why? Because hockey is a fun game to play. And one thing is clear: the ‘Arty Party’ has arrived in Chicago. 

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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