Player Discussion: Adam Fantilli
- Thread starter Youngguns1380
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It starts with the captain though. I don't necessarily disagree with your general point but also you shouldn't underestimate the difference just one person can make. And it's a huge difference between having a great captain and having a bad one. In any locker room there's going to be ton of potential for problems, but a great captain will cut any crap before it festers into anything serious and bring extra value through actively creating a better culture.
Key word being 'extra value' - I rate Jenner highly as a player but to be honest I haven't seen much evidence he's a great leader who brings that extra value and to me he doesn't come off as a guy who I think should make a great captain - but that's a pretty difficult judgment to make without actually being there. Not a slight against him and doesn't mean he has done a bad job, just that I don't see much if any signs he has done a great job either.
To be fair to him (not that thinking someone isn't "great" at something should be taken as criticism, that still leaves room for him to be OK or even good while still not being "great"), he also probably hasn't had the kind of support that he would've needed and he's been captaining the team through some pretty difficult times.
alphafox
Registered User
- Jun 14, 2011
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Anyone have some analytics (with an explanation for someone who doesn't do the advanced math often) on Fantilli since Monahan went down. He is filling the stat sheet and seems to be a monster on the rush but I've got no idea how "good" he has actually been when paired with talented wings.
Since it's still only been four games + one period, the best way to look at it is probably to look at Fantilli's game log with the 5v5 goal and xG results on it.
You can just focus on the six main columns next to each other: goals for, goals against, goals for %, xG for, xG against, and xG%. Fantilli's been on for 6 goals for and 1 against since taking the top role. The xGs are more mixed with some weaker games (including tonight) and some stronger ones. So it's not bad but the top line has had a drop off in terms of possession and shot quality against.
They spend more time in their zone and will likely not have as much luck in goals against going forward. I wouldn't bet against Fantilli continuing to outperform his xGs, in other words he has the shooting talent to score more than 1 goal per 1 xGF. But the higher xGA will catch up with him.
So basically Monahan is at this time a far better fit on that 1st line than Fantilli but at the same time we are getting more out of Fantilli scoring-wise now that he plays with better linemates, although it might not be sustainable. Right?
Xoggz22
Registered User
Rely on your eyes to determine how good he's been. The stats will provide some additional details but I struggle with hearing you want to know what stats tell you about him. Trust your instincts young padawan.
Been hot this month, except past 2 games but visually, how has he looked? From the outside looking in...
SteelCityCannon
Registered User
He's been decent. I still think he tries to think the game too fast. He charges in like a bull and tried to dangle 2 or 3 guys. Id like for him to slow down and make the correct play. I will say he's been much better at that with the Russians which makes sense.
That said, he's got the look of a VERY dynamic player in the making. I'm not saying he's as good, but he has some MacKinnon in him when he flies through the neutral zone.
He's just now around his first full year in the NHL. When you realize how young and how early on he is, id give him like a B+.
CaviarAndRinkFries
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- Jan 1, 2025
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KJ Dangler
Registered User
See post #760
.. Fantilli has been lights out when you look at things in context. Playing #1 center at age of 20, he has 11 points in last 10 games, 7g 4a… going +8 during that period …
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
- 44,658
- 28,163
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
- 44,658
- 28,163
To add more context, PLD and Z both started playing a year after their draft year. So Fantilli is really 3rd on this list in terms of guys who started playing the year they were drafted. Good company to keep regardless!
alphafox
Registered User
- Jun 14, 2011
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The biggest difference I see here is that Fantilli is doing stuff no body other than Z did, Defend. Fantilli is hanging with and defending top line opponents while taking face-offs against the Jack Eichels of the world. Really impressive for the age. He's not going to be a McDavid or Crosby but he could be our version of Kopitar.
PLD actually was our 1C already in November of his D+2 season, when he had just turned 19. And he was better defensively than Fantilli is at that point.
Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
And if he didn't have serious attitude problems he'd be at that level we need and want. I don't see that being a problem with Fantilli.
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
- 44,658
- 28,163
it’s far too early to make determinations on if Anaheim made a mistake or not, but this season seems to have been a step back for Leo Carlsson and a step forward for Fantilli.
Carlsson: 47 GP - 9 G - 9 A - 18 points
Fantilli: 55 GP - 15 G - 16 A - 31 points
I know Fantilli is on line 1, playing with better linemates, etc. but I don’t watch a lot of Anaheim. I wonder if Anaheim would still pick Carlsson over Fantilli if given a redo
Carlsson: 47 GP - 9 G - 9 A - 18 points
Fantilli: 55 GP - 15 G - 16 A - 31 points
I know Fantilli is on line 1, playing with better linemates, etc. but I don’t watch a lot of Anaheim. I wonder if Anaheim would still pick Carlsson over Fantilli if given a redo
Probably be another few years before that question can be legitimately asked and answered. Fantilli wasn't much better until the move up to line 1 where his numbers and game improved.
Carlsson got a little overhyped last year and the holding him out of the lineup thing was wildly overrated but Anaheim is similar to us a year ago. All of their young offensive talent is struggling with a coach that just doesn't work.
Everyone in Anaheim looks worse than they should. I've had to ask if I just overrated all of their players and I'm not convinced that I have, I'm leaning towards blaming Cronin (which seems to be a developing consensus).
It does feel like a Pascal Vincent situation.
I've long thought that more clubs should play their 18-20 year old picks fewer games but more minutes, so they can focus on gym time. We did it with Del Bel a year ago in Cleveland. Fantilli is obviously an exception from this because he was a man at like 16.
Leo was just too skinny to go straight into an 82 game season. I think it was the right play for him, unfortunately he doesn't appear to have gotten any stronger since then. Some Ducks fans are questioning what he did all summer. I think with that frame and skating his athletic potential is incredible but he has to get there.
It's a good reminder plenty of athletes suck in the gym but get by on genetics and talent. It's kind of weird to see with how much support and information is available these days but for some in takes so long to put it all together. Probably needs as much work in the kitchen as he does in the gym
