Artyom Levshunov gave Jeff Blashill and the Blackhawks an early camp scare after a heavy accidental collision with Ryan Donato.
It happened on Day 1 of Chicago's camp, when Levshunov and Donato collided during practice in a sequence that immediately looked far worse than the final outcome.
The contact was accidental, but there was nothing light about it. Two NHL players moving through the same area created the kind of impact nobody wants to see in September.
The good news for Chicago came quickly. Neither Levshunov nor Donato was hurt, turning a tense moment into a warning rather than an early roster problem.
That matters for Blashill with camp just opening. Every practice rep carries weight as the Blackhawks sort through combinations, roles and the competition for regular-season jobs.
The clip shows Levshunov and Donato converging at speed before the two teammates crash together and go down from the contact.
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Blackhawks escape a major Day 1 scare
Levshunov is one of the most closely watched players in Chicago's camp, so any moment that leaves him on the ice is going to get attention immediately.
For Donato, the concern was just as real. Training camp contact is expected, but teammates aren't looking to create dangerous situations before the schedule even begins.
This one was clearly different from a player stepping up intentionally. It was a timing issue, with both players arriving in the same space and paying the price for it.
Chicago can live with the physical edge as long as everyone gets back up. The Blackhawks want pace, battle and competitive practices under Blashill, not avoidable absences before opening night.
The incident also shows how quickly camp can change. One awkward sequence can force coaches to shuffle lines, defensive pairs and special-teams work before the roster has settled.
This time, Chicago avoided that headache. Levshunov and Donato escaped without an injury, allowing the focus to remain on their work rather than their availability.
But Day 1 already delivered a reminder. Camp may only be practice, yet when NHL players are moving at full speed, an accidental collision can look every bit as serious as something from a game.
Should the Blackhawks dial back contact after the Levshunov-Donato collision?
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