Player Discussion: Adam Fantilli

[majormajor]

I honestly would like to see him sent down to stew in Cleveland for a month or so...get his confidence up, have him focus on the small things and then either lead them through the Calder cup run or come back up here if he's earned it.

I'd take that over the status quo situation, but why is that more appealing than having him on Monahan's wing? He looked great there.

 

[koteka]

I'd take that over the status quo situation, but why is that more appealing than having him on Monahan's wing? He looked great there.

I am cool with an LDBB / Fantilli swap for a couple of weeks (to reward and evaluate LDBB a little and give Fantilli some confidence playing with Brindley, etc). However, I thought one of the reasons we brought in Monahan is to teach and I have heard nothing except he is an excellent teacher in the various snippets I have heard about him this season. So Fantilli with Monahan makes the most sense to me.

 

[CBJx614]

I'd take that over the status quo situation, but why is that more appealing than having him on Monahan's wing? He looked great there.

I'm fine with that as well, but the Cleveland assignment might kickstart him against some weaker competition, while it's still an option. But moving him to the wing could do the same.

 

[majormajor]

I'm fine with that as well, but the Cleveland assignment might kickstart him against some weaker competition, while it's still an option. But moving him to the wing could do the same.

In general I like AHL assignments even for super high profile prospects like Fantilli (and I don't give a shit about the negative headlines that come from sending players like that to the AHL).

But in Fantilli's case, he's going to be able to dipsy-doodle and snipe with ease in the AHL. Yes, it would give him a quick confidence boost, but it won't help him manage the game and read the game and use his linemates as best as possible, which is what he's really struggling with.

I don't know what the coaches are thinking. They put him on Monahan's wing for one game and Fantilli had more scoring chances in that game than any other this season. He was terrific. And then they revert and go back to placing him in this role where he's playing poorly and not improving game to game. And contrary to many comments out there he's not getting many scoring chances, he's not close to breaking out just from a confidence boost. There's a fundamental problem here.

 

[Napoli]

Fantilli cannot play with JVR and ZAR, these two are useless with pretty much everyone except KJ and Monahan. Pretty sure we could waive ZAR and bring up Brindley. Would much rather see that personally.

 

[S1N4TR4]

Fantilli cannot play with JVR and ZAR, these two are useless with pretty much everyone except KJ and Monahan. Pretty sure we could waive ZAR and bring up Brindley. Would much rather see that personally.

even though gavin only has played 12 games at the professional level in his career to this point?

 

[Napoli]

even though gavin only has played 12 games at the professional level in his career to this point?

I don't think waiving ZAR is going to make or break the season. If it helps get Fantilli going, that'd be more important imo.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Adam Fantilli Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Adam Fantilli, a hockey player from Nobleton, ONT born Oct 12 2004 who was active from 2020 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Jack Hughes (b.2001) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Jack Hughes, a hockey player from Orlando, FL born May 14 2001 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Just looked up Jack Hughes' first two seasons and compared with Fantilli's.

Hughes 117 GP 52 points
Fantilli 83 GP 41 points

Looks like he's (hopefully) following a similar developmental curve.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Adam Fantilli Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Adam Fantilli, a hockey player from Nobleton, ONT born Oct 12 2004 who was active from 2020 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Jack Hughes (b.2001) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Jack Hughes, a hockey player from Orlando, FL born May 14 2001 who was active from 2016 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Just looked up Jack Hughes' first two seasons and compared with Fantilli's.

Hughes 117 GP 52 points
Fantilli 83 GP 41 points

Looks like he's (hopefully) following a similar developmental curve.

I think Fantilli will be an excellent hockey player. For now, IMO he's going thru learning curve to get beyond simply using his speed and individual game.

 

[Cowumbus]

His line-mates are setting him up to fail sadly. LDBB or Brindley soon please.

 

[majormajor]

His line-mates are setting him up to fail sadly. LDBB or Brindley soon please.

He's been a hard player to play with too.

A lot of guys with better numbers away from Fantilli.

 

[thebus88]

His line-mates are setting him up to fail sadly. LDBB or Brindley soon please.

He completely lacks composure at nearly every aspect of the game.

While I agree his linemates have been an issue throughout the year, and I don’t think it was 1 of his “on paper” linemates tonight, he was set up in the slot late in the 3rd again tonight, and just ripped the puck high and as hard as possible again, without taking much time to think at all. He could’ve driven right to the net or set up the shot much better than he did, which is a consistent issue with him, IMO.

 

[EspenK]

I am cool with an LDBB / Fantilli swap for a couple of weeks (to reward and evaluate LDBB a little and give Fantilli some confidence playing with Brindley, etc). However, I thought one of the reasons we brought in Monahan is to teach and I have heard nothing except he is an excellent teacher in the various snippets I have heard about him this season. So Fantilli with Monahan makes the most sense to me.

Well, Fantilli did go to Michigan

 

[stevo61]

Sophomore slumps are real and honestly all those top guys have struggled more this year. Bedard, Carlsson and Benson all in their 2nd year are finding themselves struggling in different area's and as we know it's not uncommon. I wouldn't be opposed to sitting him a game or 2 or even send him down to Cleveland and play a couple games with Brindley, confidence is a hell of a thing for anyone but especially for young top picks who come with lots of expectations

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

Moving him to the wing for the time being seems like a far less drastic first step than sending him down to Cleveland. But if that's where he needs to be in the end, so be it. Like many others, I have zero concern for Fantilli.