contains spoilers from the books!
So I have some thoughts about season 2... And they might be a highly unpopular opinion, but don't worry. It's not going to happen, because I highly doubt they will ever make changes this big... But that doesn't stop me from making a think piece.
I think they should write Ryan and Fabian completely out of the season! They don't serve any purpose in Ilya and Shane's story/relationship/development, and they are pretty much just an easter egg in the book.
But an easteregg doesn't make any sense when the viewers don't know them, and I honestly think they will just be slightly confusing to the non-book readers when there's suddenly another open gay hockey player in the mix without any background story. They are easily removed without any consequences.
Instead I think they should just replace them with Scott and Kip. Our dear writers would love to make them a part of season 2, despite them not really being part of the book, and this is their golden opportunity.
Make Scott be a coach on the hockey camp instead of Ryan. Considering they care about making a diverse coaching team, it makes very much sense for him to be there. Make him be the one walking in on them instead of Ryan, and if they want a double date situation, let's get Skip and Hollanov to that restaurant.
I actually think that could be a fun little moment, and more impactful to the viewer if using a couple we know. And if they want Shane to be flabbergasted over gays being flamboyant, then make their waiter a very open flamboyant gay man and gag him for a moment. That's more than enough.
I need Scott and Kip's part of season 2 to be relevant to the main plot and not just a random side plot where people just wait for them to be done so we can return to Ilya and Shane.
The only new secondary book couple that should be introduced in season 2, is Harris and Troy.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.