Get ready for some insider hockey talk! The Chicago Blackhawks are taking a unique approach with their young defenseman, Artyom Levshunov. Instead of sending him down to the AHL, they're keeping him close and working on some fundamental aspects of his game. But here's where it gets controversial...
Ben Pope, from the Chicago Sun-Times, revealed that the Blackhawks have Levshunov in an internal program, focusing on his puck-handling, defensive skills, and shooting technique. The team believes their current coaches can address these issues. Levshunov, selected second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is having an improved season but still hasn't met the high expectations set for him. He leads the team's defensemen in scoring with 2 goals and 21 points in 52 games, but his Corsi For percentage and rating could use some work.
Now, let's shift our attention to the Western Conference. In Chicago, the Blackhawks are without their captain, Nick Foligno, tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Foligno, a veteran at 38, has been dealing with an undisclosed injury and is considered day-to-day. He's played 17 games since returning from a longer-term injury in December, contributing 2 goals and 4 points.
And this is the part most people miss... further west, there's a potential return for Brock Boeser with the Vancouver Canucks. Jeff Paterson of Canucks Army reports that Boeser will join the team on their upcoming road trip to Utah and Las Vegas. However, it's more likely that Vancouver will hold him out through the Olympic break as he recovers from an upper-body injury that led to a suspension for Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Bryan Rust.
So, what do you think about the Blackhawks' decision to keep Levshunov close and work on his game internally? Is it a smart move or a risky one? And what about Boeser's potential return? Will he make a difference for the Canucks? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on these intriguing developments!
