It's very wide open. I'm sure a lot of clubs still don't know who they'd take #2OA, they're watching each player's playoffs and they'll be watching their U18s and other tournaments very closely.
I would have guessed that Cayden Lindstrom would go #2, power forwards and big specimens always get a big jump in the final rankings, as teams get more serious. But his back injury takes him back to the pack for now. We'll see how he plays when he returns.
I have my doubts that a club takes an all defense KHLer in Silayev at #2, but the best argument is that he was ranked #2 on Bob's poll. He'll be strongly considered by many clubs.
If you're Chicago and you want a great handler and playmaker to go with Bedard, then you've got to take Demidov. But I could also see Demidov slipping past #5.
Catton keeps looking better and better. He'll have to take yet another step in the playoffs and U18s to overcome size bias and go #2, but he might just do that the way he is playing right now.
Sam Dickinson is the safest pick among D, but like most people I don't see big upside. But as the draft approaches perhaps teams will opt for safety, and see a glimmer of #1D upside.
Levshunov has mammoth potential, or maybe he is just a mammoth. I don't like the decision making but I'd bet some teams will have him at #2. The tools are intriguing, and he's huge. It seems like a player that will go high.
I think teams might come around on Buium and take him seriously at #2. His play as a draft year freshman is unprecedented and his tools look to be improving. I think the rankings will catch up to how good he is.
The others don't stand a chance. I could see Yakemchuk potentially getting close if he has a great playoffs and shows defensive improvement. But he's too risky to go #2.