If it was me, I would take Demidov to get someone to pair with Bedard and then in the 2nd get a RHD because there’s a lot of good ones that will probably fall

I like Elick late 1st early 2nd myself

My theory would be Levshunov because Chicago will still be a bottom 5 team next year. #1 center one year, #1 dman this year and then you have some really good options next year with elite forwards looking to dominate the top 5 in 2025 whether that be Haggens, Misa or Frondell

Agreed. I'd like to add that Bedard is already a small top line player. Need some size on the wing to support him.

Legit Bedard and Frondell would be dominant for the next decade together

If they take Levshunov, Montreal need to make a trade for the 3rd overall selection before that Columbus take Demidov at the 4th spot.

Demidov all day long, but I'm sure I will waiver. I will be happen with either Demidov or Levshunov, either would be the Hawks immediate best prospect and address one of the team's needs. KD and team have a tough decision on their hands.

For me, in a perfect world, we draft Demidov and then use our plethora of draft capital to move up and get Yakemchuk. What that would take....who knows? But I could see teams looking to move down. Maybe the Devils or Wild? IDK.

***EDIT*** BUT at #2...You draft the best available. I want to get that out of the way too. If KD thinks that Levshunov...so be it, but don't target a position at #2 OA. Just best available.

CHI will be a bottom dwelling team for at least 2 other years - Dman take time to devellop - you get the chance to draft a #1 RHD early in the rebuild and he will be ready at the same time as the forward your draft top 5 in 2025 and 2026.

Look at the Leafs - you can"t win with 3-4 ppg player with no defense and no goalie.

Get Levshunov in 2024, Hagen/Misa/Malone in 2025 and another top 5 stud in 2026.

I’m a ***little*** worried the Hawks are building too small to win the Cup but that doesn’t stop me from loving Demidov’s game and fit.

Bedard being small is irrelevant. Hes the person being matched up against. And a big opposing centre or small, that centre is scared. It’s moreso that Moore is clearly a small style centre and none of Reichel Kurashev and Nazar are physically intimidating (but Nazar looks built for playoff success so he’s not the issue for sure)

You add Demidov to that group and you start to look and feel like a team that doesn’t scare you physically in a seven game series. It’s definitely a factor. But it’s moreso a factor in, once you draft Demidov and lock in Nazar, you are reallly careful about the physical nature and willpower of the rest of your top 9.

I just get to thinking about how good that D core is, which is the biggest key to playoff success besides top 2 centres, and I just risk finding the best winger complements for Bedard.

On the flip side, you develop Demidov perfectly, you just might not get a strong enough D corps, and you’re paying Demidov up the wazzoooo in your contender window. He’s going to put up insane points at his peak if he’s playing with Bedard.

Oh and also, that TB pick is just close enough to some super intriguing middle six right wingers. Nygard. Senecke. Parascek. Greentree. It doesn’t move you off Demidov in particular but if you leave this first round with winger winger you’ve got to be a little disappointed!

Hawks are only taking Leshevnov at #2 if they move Jones. Hawks have Korchinski, Vlasic and Rinzell as 3/4 of their future top 4. They need another top 6 F more than a top 4 RD. It's Demidov for me. Hawks can find a big body LW for that line in free agency or via a trade down the road.

I like Charlie Elick at #20. Hawks have quite a few middle 6 winger prospects/young pro's already: Reichel, Kurashev, Moore or Nazar (they won't both end up being centers), Gavin Hayes, Roman Kantserov, Nick Lardis, Colton Dach.