While we hear that the logical first two picks for the draft are Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, it would appear that this is not the case. Yes, Bedard is headed to Chicago, but Fantilli could be edged out by Matvei Michkov at #2. That's what Jeff Marek mentions in a recent segment of the <i>32 Thoughts</i> podcast. <q>Also keep an eye on the Ducks in the Matvei Michkov file, they have the second overall pick next week. I'm not saying it'll happen 100%, but it's possible. I've chatted with some well-placed people, and they reminded me that Pat Verbeek (the Ducks GM) comes from the Steve Yzerman school. - Jeff Marek</q> <blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>Wednesday 32 Thoughts news pod. Lots going on! Links to your preferred platform: <a href=https://t.co/dgzv1lZMld>https://t.co/dgzv1lZMld</a>... Also: Chuck Fletcher, who will be joining <a href=https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>@Sportsnet</a> draft coverage.- Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) <a href=https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1671558990453407757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8> Steve Yzerman has never listened to others when making his selections. Just think of Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy or more recently Moritz Seider, who was listed much higher. Yet he's considered one of the best GMs in the NHL. Pat Verbeek thinks a little like him. If the Ducks really do select Michkov at #2, the Habs would be guaranteed to have Will Smith, Leo Carlsson or Adam Fantilli in the organization. <blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>Pat Verbeek learned from Steve Yzerman, who doesn't mind what people think of his decisions → <a href=https://t.co/rZIFjcayNN>https://t.co/rZIFjcayNN</a>- DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) <a href=https://twitter.com/DLCoulisses/status/1671572336644849664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>June 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8>