Player Discussion: Adam Fantilli

[Napoli]

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.

I dont think Fantilli isnt to blame. He needs to make adjustments, but I also dont think he's going to figure it out with ZAR and JVR. Both things can be true.

 

[VT]

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.

I don't think JvR and Aston-Reese are players whom Fantilli needs. Why doesn't Evason let Johnson play with him? Not only anytime. They had chemistry in the last season.

 

[majormajor]

I dont think Fantilli isnt to blame. He needs to make adjustments, but I also dont think he's going to figure it out with ZAR and JVR. Both things can be true.

If I had to guess, the reason Evason wants Fantilli with them is because they can play a simple structured game that Fantilli can gradually learn. The coaches are trying to get Fantilli to develop some structure to his game and it's harder alongside someone like KJ who is also doing something different every shift. And more obviously, KJ benefits from playing with other players who can get him more offensive zone possession time. With Fantilli, he was only getting about 33% xG, which is a long time in the wrong end of the ice.

 

[Viqsi]

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.

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).

I for one would be very much in favor of getting Evangelista over here.

 

[majormajor]

I for one would be very much in favor of getting Evangelista over here.

What does he do?

 

[Viqsi]

What does he do?

He's predominantly a playmaker (something I think we could definitely use), and I want to get him away to somewhere better before Trotz sells him for a 4th in 2029. That's pretty much as far as my interest gets.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

What does he do?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CBJ goalie]

Never underestimate the value of a veteran player.

 

[DankoCBJ]

There is some talk whether Fantilli ends up being a winger instead of a center and while no one can really see what the future holds, here is my thoughts on the matter.

First of all, Fantilli has spoke out that he sees and feels himself as a center. He wants to play center and improve as a two-way center.

And he certainly can, tools-wise, become a good, even great, center to the NHL. He has hands, speed, grit, will, determination and enough smarts / hockey IQ to pull it off. He wont likely ever be a Selke nominee, but that is fine.

He is already learning from Monahan and adjusting his game as a 20 year old, far far away from his prime. If you expect him playing as a smart classic two-way center this season, kind of comparing him to Monahan, you are doing it wrong. He is on his own path, learning and adjusting. And while I think he is already showing some improved details, he is by no means there yet, but lets give him time to grow to his full potential as a center.

 

[majormajor]

There is some talk whether Fantilli ends up being a winger instead of a center and while no one can really see what the future holds, here is my thoughts on the matter.

First of all, Fantilli has spoke out that he sees and feels himself as a center. He wants to play center and improve as a two-way center.

And he certainly can, tools-wise, become a good, even great, center to the NHL. He has hands, speed, grit, will, determination and enough smarts / hockey IQ to pull it off. He wont likely ever be a Selke nominee, but that is fine.

He is already learning from Monahan and adjusting his game as a 20 year old, far far away from his prime. If you expect him playing as a smart classic two-way center this season, kind of comparing him to Monahan, you are doing it wrong. He is on his own path, learning and adjusting. And while I think he is already showing some improved details, he is by no means there yet, but lets give him time to grow to his full potential as a center.

He wants to ride the unicycle when he hasn't even been on the bike yet.

Look at all the centers who started their NHL careers on the wing. Fantilli can do much of his maturing on the wing and be ready to learn the center position later.

 

[DankoCBJ]

He wants to ride the unicycle when he hasn't even been on the bike yet.

Look at all the centers who started their NHL careers on the wing. Fantilli can do much of his maturing on the wing and be ready to learn the center position later.

I agree with you major on many things here, but this is the one I disagree with.

I mean a few games here and there on wing are not a problem, but for Fantilli it is vital to play center if he wants to improve as a center.

He has played very winger-style hockey and some of his attributes are very winger-like so it is easy to slot him on winger position. And easier it would be for Adam too to just play wing, but if he wants to play center and improve and the organisation wants him to be a center
Then he should absolutely play center and keep adjusting his game to the nuances that it takes to play center ice position well.

As a center he is forced to slow down a bit and think instead of running around 100 miles per hour as a winger wrecking ball.

That is why I dont think it is a good idea to play him on the wing.

But I trust Don and Dean know what they are doing. They are smarter hockey people than me.

 

[koteka]

He is already learning from Monahan

One thing that bothers me a little is that I have heard so many people specifically talk about how great of a teacher Monahan is this season. I have heard it in radio interviews with Fantilli and KJ and the Russians and I have seen various quotes. Why haven’t other veteran guys been talked about like Monahan is? I have never heard a Russian say Boone was teaching him stuff.

This is one reason I am anti bringing in ex Jackets. We need new blood. Monahan seems to be different from other veterans we have had. Let’s find another guy who likes to teach if we acquire another veteran forward. Also, we are so much better at tipping pucks this season. I suspect that might be because of Monahan and JVR.

 

[alphafox]

One thing that bothers me a little is that I have heard so many people specifically talk about how great of a teacher Monahan is this season. I have heard it in radio interviews with Fantilli and KJ and the Russians and I have seen various quotes. Why haven’t other veteran guys been talked about like Monahan is? I have never heard a Russian say Boone was teaching him stuff.

This is one reason I am anti bringing in ex Jackets. We need new blood. Monahan seems to be different from other veterans we have had. Let’s find another guy who likes to teach if we acquire another veteran forward. Also, we are so much better at tipping pucks this season. I suspect that might be because of Monahan and JVR.

This has been my point with Jenner as Captain. This team has had a dumpster fire culture for years with no concern or focus on helping fellow players grow. Jenner has been the guy who presided over all of that. I do wonder if Jenner being gone has allowed better leaders like Werenski and Monahan. Just another reason to trade Jenner (yes I know that isn't going to happen but the upsides on return and turning the organizational page are huge)

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I agree with you major on many things here, but this is the one I disagree with.

I mean a few games here and there on wing are not a problem, but for Fantilli it is vital to play center if he wants to improve as a center.

fantilli usage options for the rest of this year, ranked by most preferable to least:

1. center, with good linemates
2. wing, with good linemates
3. center, with bad linemates
4. wing, with bad linemates

This has been my point with Jenner as Captain. This team has had a dumpster fire culture for years with no concern or focus on helping fellow players grow. Jenner has been the guy who presided over all of that. I do wonder if Jenner being gone has allowed better leaders like Werenski and Monahan. Just another reason to trade Jenner (yes I know that isn't going to happen but the upsides on return and turning the organizational page are huge)

absolutely nothing against jenner, who is a really good player and clearly a great guy who has earned the respect of the room, but: it's clear from watching the team this year that zach werenski has done more to earn the captaincy than jenner ever did.

monahan has a similar quiet leadership style to jenner's, but his game is built on hockey sense and smarts, and imo guys like fantilli and sillinger have picked up a lot from him this year.

this isn't the thread for it, and there are practical reasons why this won't happen, but a pettersson trade built around jenner + sillinger seems like a really good outcome for both teams.