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.
Player Discussion: Adam Fantilli
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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
Registered User
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.
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.
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
CBJ CBJ CBJ
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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
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- Jun 12, 2008
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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.
- Jan 12, 2011
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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
Registered User
He's been a hard player to play with too.
A lot of guys with better numbers away from Fantilli.
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
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- Sep 25, 2011
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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
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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.
Aaaarrgghh
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Pretty good in-depth article about his sophomore slump here:
pocketcbj.substack.com
One immediate course of action suggested is to get Fantilli a puck-hounding playmaking winger, like Brindley was at Michigan. He specifically names Evangelista (Trotz does seem intent on burning the Predators to the ground) and Nyquist (@majormajor).
Diving into Adam Fantilli's Sophomore Slump
TL;DR Before I get deeper into the article, I’d like to lay out some of the points as a sort of quick hit before I get into the deeper proof.
pocketcbj.substack.com
One immediate course of action suggested is to get Fantilli a puck-hounding playmaking winger, like Brindley was at Michigan. He specifically names Evangelista (Trotz does seem intent on burning the Predators to the ground) and Nyquist (@majormajor).
Pretty good in-depth article about his sophomore slump here:
Diving into Adam Fantilli's Sophomore Slump
TL;DR Before I get deeper into the article, I’d like to lay out some of the points as a sort of quick hit before I get into the deeper proof.
One immediate course of action suggested is to get Fantilli a puck-hounding playmaking winger, like Brindley was at Michigan. He specifically names Evangelista (Trotz does seem intent on burning the Predators to the ground) and Nyquist (@majormajor).
I knew it was really bad, but wow:
The early Mackinnon comparison works for me but at this point only on the superficial level. Fantilli's game is more of a wreck than anything I remember from Mackinnon. We're got a bigger problem.
Once again, I'd love to know what the coaches conversation is about this. We have the Fantilli to the wing option, which I've been arguing for, but there's more options than that (like bringing in a strong veteran type). They can't possibly be thinking that we just keep going like this, can they? There's no way they're willing to do this with Fantilli all year?
It did just come to mind that Jenner's return might have Fantilli go to wing. I think they're too stuck in their ways with Voronkov but Jenner is a more respected center. But the way they've been operating, my guess is that Fantilli stays at center and Sillinger goes to wing (the way it was a month ago). They seem really committed to the head on stone wall trick, it must work eventually.
Fantilli has struggled but his game has been affected with weak wingers too. If you have to carry your line and try to play solid defensively while you are going through a sophomore slump playing a demanding role as a center in the NHL when you are 20 year old - guess what? You might struggle.
Get him better support next year when he has this learning experience year under his belt and you see him pop next year.
Get him better support next year when he has this learning experience year under his belt and you see him pop next year.
alphafox
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- Jun 14, 2011
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Fantilli wasn't a play driver in college as Brindley was the straw that stirred that drink. Also, the single biggest knocks on Fantilli coming into the draft were 1. did not use his teammates well in certain situations 2. Tried to do to much solo 3. was more of an old school player rather than a possession guy and 4. had an average shot
This is exactly what I expected to see with Fantilli (also, remember that despite his "sophmore slump" he has yet to play 100 nhl games). Without the right line mates he is going to struggle to be the megastar that we are all hoping for. I suspect we will see a bit of a delayed development curve although likely not that severe as we have Brindley coming soon, eventually a longer run with KJ where they can hopefully find chemistry, as well as Chinny and Jenner returning. Plus who knows maybe we drop a bunch of money on Rantanen or ehlers to pair up with him in the offseason.
This is exactly what I expected to see with Fantilli (also, remember that despite his "sophmore slump" he has yet to play 100 nhl games). Without the right line mates he is going to struggle to be the megastar that we are all hoping for. I suspect we will see a bit of a delayed development curve although likely not that severe as we have Brindley coming soon, eventually a longer run with KJ where they can hopefully find chemistry, as well as Chinny and Jenner returning. Plus who knows maybe we drop a bunch of money on Rantanen or ehlers to pair up with him in the offseason.
On point 4, my recollection was amazing shot but poor shot selection, which is closer to what we're seeing now as well.
Ive been screaming for them to bring up Brindley. Continuing with Zar and JVR, two linemates who arent productive NHLers anymore isnt helping him. Fantilli needs someone else to create for him.Pretty good in-depth article about his sophomore slump here:
Diving into Adam Fantilli's Sophomore Slump
TL;DR Before I get deeper into the article, I’d like to lay out some of the points as a sort of quick hit before I get into the deeper proof.
One immediate course of action suggested is to get Fantilli a puck-hounding playmaking winger, like Brindley was at Michigan. He specifically names Evangelista (Trotz does seem intent on burning the Predators to the ground) and Nyquist (@majormajor).
Evason likes his lines and Fantilli is the odd man out when it comes to getting KJ or Marchenko. Even someone like Voronkov would do wonders for Fantilli. He needs to improve but it seems rather foolish to let your future franchise center struggle like this.
It runs both ways, just about everyone is better off not playing with Fantilli.
Thats a very easy blanket statement to say when he's being played with poor players. Put him on Monahan's wing and all of sudden the hype would return.
If youre going to let him figure it out at center, give him a chance with players who are performing or at least someone new (Brindley).
I do think putting him on Monahan's wing would help significantly, largely because it would be on the wing and that suits Fantilli's current skillset.
But you seem to think Fantilli has only been placed with players who are underperforming themselves, and you have the causation backwards. He's played about as much with KJ and Marchenko as he has with ZAR and JVR. And ZAR and JVR have done fine away from Fantilli. I don't like that line either, FWIW, but you're not getting it if you think Fantilli's issues are because of them.
