Problem of production of even--even superheavy nuclei in their first excited state 2+ is discussed. Measurement of energy of this state is considered as a way to learn if these nuclei are deformed. Superheavy nuclei situated around the nucleus ²⁷⁰Hs, which according to calculations are expected to be deformed, are studied. Particular attention is given to calculations of the branching ratio p₂₊/p₀₊ between \alpha decay of a nucleus to the 2+ state and to the ground state 0+ of its daughter. Sensitivity of this ratio to various factors appearing in the calculations is discussed.

PACS numbers: 21.10.Re, 21.60.Ev, 27.90.+b