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Blackhawks' rising star Artyom Levshunov sidelined for preseason, due to foot injury

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Marvin Azrak
September 20, 2024  (1:21 PM)
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Artyom Levshunov, Chicago Blackhawks
Photo credit: NHL.com

No. 2 draft pick and rising Chicago Blackhawks star Artyom Levshunov is out for the entire preseason due to a foot injury. While it's definitely a bummer, it sounds like he's handling it with a great attitude.

His new coach Luke Richardson already loves his attitude.

I see him in the gym every day with a smile on his face. He's a fun guy and loves being around. He's itching to get back out there, but we're going to make sure he takes the time he needs to fully heal.


Even though the Blackhawks aren't worried about his long-term health, they're being cautious with Levshunov. There's no need to rush, especially with the promising career ahead of him. He'll have a shot to make an immediate impact this season as a teammate of Connor Bedard, last year's No. 1 overall pick, who's already shown he's the real deal after leading all NHL rookies with 61 points last season en route to winning the Calder Trophy.

Now, while expecting Levshunov to have a Calder-worthy season himself is unrealistic, there's a lot of excitement about what he brings to the table. At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he's already built for the NHL and his game is mature beyond his years.

He dominated as a freshman at Michigan State, putting up 35 points in 38 games and racking up awards like Big Ten Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Levshunov spent the summer prepping in North America, working out in Chicago and with pros in Florida, and was gearing up for a strong rookie campaign before the injury hit. He signed his three-year, entry-level contract in July and will be ready to get started alongside Bedard once he's back to 100%. For now, Blackhawks fans just have to wait a little longer to see him on the ice.

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20 SEPTEMBRE   |   12 ANSWERS
Blackhawks' rising star Artyom Levshunov sidelined for preseason, due to foot injury

What should the Blackhawks do with Artyom Levshunov's recovery timeline?

Allow him to fully heal1191.7 %
Push for an earlier return18.3 %
Ease him back into the lineup00 %
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