In many years, the buildup to the NHL entry draft is often hyped up through a wide-ranging discussion about which player is going to be selected 1st overall. If there’s a catchy way to summarize the race (such as Taylor versus Tyler or Nico versus Nolan), then all the better.
Even drafts where the top choices seem obvious you occasionally get some last-minute “what if” thinking. What if Jack Eichel is better than Connor McDavid? What if Patrik Laine is better than Auston Matthews?
Halfway to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, however, and you have to look long and hard for any dissenting opinions about who is this year’s top dog.