C Leo Carlsson (2023, 2nd, ANA)

[Nico Cauzuki]

Madden Jr is one of the best scouts in the game maybe even the best one so trust him

And personally i always felt Carlsson would become the better player

Ducks should be very happy about this pick

 

[stevo61]

See thankfully on the Jackets, Gaudreau can do a lot of the carrying if need be

He talks about the Michigan guys as a reason for wanting to play in Columbus but he has to see Gaudreau there and knows that is potentially a near perfect match for him moving forward

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Well, I was very pro Fantilli, but I was more than welcome to the idea of Carlsson on the Ducks, just had to digest my disappointment that my preferred guy wasn't the pick. Carlsson has the higher floor between him and Fantilli. I still maintain Fantilli has the higher upside but it's anyone's guess which guy of the two gets closer to their ceiling after adapting to the NHL. In any case, I think worst case scenario is Carlsson is a strong 2c for Anaheim, best case, first line superstar playmaker. Even a guy somewhere in the middle would be great. I'm big on guys like Zegras, McTavish, Mintyukov, Zellweger but Carlsson, to me, is the best draft prospect selected by the Ducks in a long long time.

Honestly I have it the opposite regarding ceiling and floor. Fantilli for me has just about the highest floor as you get in a non generational prospect. Already has above average speed and size by NHL standards, with a tremendous compete level. May not be the most deceptive or creative offensive talent but at least enough skill there where it's hard to picture him not becoming at least a 30 goal guy along with being a two way beast. Just more a question of whether he is more of a 30-30 or consistent point per game + type of guy in his prime.

Carlsson on the other hand, for me has a greater range of outcomes. I think it's fair to say he has the higher upside on the back of his superior puck savvy/vision and ability to truly manipulate (vs attack) the play. There's also less certainty about his motor/tenacity ever matching up with Fantilli.

 

[JotAlan]

Carlsson will probably play in the SHL next season, but if he played in the NHL what would your prediction be? 15-25-40? or something like 20-40-60?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Probably ~30 points unless he gets primo PP time. Anaheim is still going to play in their own end a lot.

 

[majormajor]

Carlsson will probably play in the SHL next season, but if he played in the NHL what would your prediction be? 15-25-40? or something like 20-40-60?

I could see those numbers, it would depend a lot on linemates. Carlsson is super responsible and won't turn the puck over much. You could play him with top talent right away and he won't cost them anything. But his shot right now isn't anything special. Most of his points are going to come from basic set ups.

 

[lwvs84]

Probably ~30 points unless he gets primo PP time. Anaheim is still going to play in their own end a lot.

He probably would get good PP time... or at least a chance to earn it. My guess is Zegras, Terry, and McTavish are the only guaranteed ones on the top unit, probably Fowler too (Drysdale has a chance to take it maybe?). So one more forward spot up for grabs.

 

[mightyquack]

It's hilarious to me so many people get caught up here saying "wrong choice wrong choice11!1!1!" when we're comparing two potential franchise first line centres who likely go 1st overall in other drafts.

Fantilli and Carlsson are both fantastic prospects and I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

[HanSolo]

Honestly I have it the opposite regarding ceiling and floor. Fantilli for me has just about the highest floor as you get in a non generational prospect. Already has above average speed and size by NHL standards, with a tremendous compete level. May not be the most deceptive or creative offensive talent but at least enough skill there where it's hard to picture him not becoming at least a 30 goal guy along with being a two way beast. Just more a question of whether he is more of a 30-30 or consistent point per game + type of guy in his prime.

Carlsson on the other hand, for me has a greater range of outcomes. I think it's fair to say he has the higher upside on the back of his superior puck savvy/vision and ability to truly manipulate (vs attack) the play. There's also less certainty about his motor/tenacity ever matching up with Fantilli.

I just always felt like if absolutely everything goes wrong with Fantilli he'd be a third line energy depth scorer while I can't fathom how Carlsson can be less than a solid 2c

 

[Ducks]

I really don't think the Jackets had any intent of taking Smith over Carlsson (or obviously Fantilli).

I think there was a game of cat and mouse between Verbeek and Jarmo. Verbeek wanted Carlsson, but wanted to see if they could get columbus to pay up to get the consensus number 2 in Fantilli. I think Jarmo (smartly) was muddying the water on who they liked and putting quotes out there to make is seem like they were relatively indifferent on who they took between Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith. Neither showed their cards, and hopefully both got the guy they wanted.

Jarmo actually called Verbeek the morning of the draft to see if CBJ could move up to #2 and Verbeek said no. From the very beginning, Verbeek has been saying that #2 is important because they want their guy and he might not be there at #3. I don't think he even entertained moving down at all, once they identified Carlsson as the guy after the WC that was who they were taking.

 

[Goldenhands]

Anaheim made the right call IMO, I had Carlsson 2nd OV, I just like his puck possession skills better than Fantilli, Carlsson manages the puck better, higher IQ.. Fantilli still might end up racking similar numbers though.

 

[Freaky Styley]

Anaheim made the right call IMO, I had Carlsson 2nd OV, I just like his puck possession skills better than Fantilli, Carlsson manages the puck better, higher IQ.. Fantilli still might end up racking similar numbers though.

This. Carlsson gives me some Forsberg vibes with his skill set. Not as physical though. But with these 2 it's like Forsberg vs. Lindros

 

[Goldenhands]

This. Carlsson gives me some Forsberg vibes with his skill set. Not as physical though. But with these 2 it's like Forsberg vs. Lindros

I prefer Barkov as comparable for Carlsson personally. Forsberg was my favorite player in my teens, the way he was using his frame was unreal.

 

[nbducksfan19]

Jarmo actually called Verbeek the morning of the draft to see if CBJ could move up to #2 and Verbeek said no. From the very beginning, Verbeek has been saying that #2 is important because they want their guy and he might not be there at #3. I don't think he even entertained moving down at all, once they identified Carlsson as the guy after the WC that was who they were taking.

I agree with this, I just wonder if verbeek was hoping he could get a read that Columbus wanted Fantilli and then trade back, but still get their guy.

 

[Ducks]

I agree with this, I just wonder if verbeek was hoping he could get a read that Columbus wanted Fantilli and then trade back, but still get their guy.

Maybe, but Verbeek doesn't strike me as that kind of GM. Based on what he's said and the fact he turned down Jarmo on draft day, it tells me he wanted 100% certainty that he was going to get Carlsson and he didn't want to leave anything to chance.

 

[BB88]

With McTavish Carlsson should be a great fit for Anaheim.

Still weird how ”quaranteed” Fantilli was supposed to go 2nd

 

[KaseMeOutside]

i receive a lot of hate for this post but once again i am right in my analysis

Bobby Ryan wasn't even close to the consensus pick at the time, most seemed to favor Jack Johnson

 

[Leonardo87]

Carlsson will probably play in the SHL next season, but if he played in the NHL what would your prediction be? 15-25-40? or something like 20-40-60?

Ducks are going to be bad again next year, not as bad as last season, but unless Verbeek is adding some serious players tomorrow (doubt it) probably best he stay in the SHL, or maybe AHL is an optIon. Love to see the kid as early next season but no reason to rush him.

 

[Arthuros]

Carlsson will probably play in the SHL next season, but if he played in the NHL what would your prediction be? 15-25-40? or something like 20-40-60?

If he played in the NHL I probably wouldn't expect him to crack 35 unless he develops immediate chemistry with Z or McTavish.

 

[VictorLustig]

With McTavish Carlsson should be a great fit for Anaheim.

Still weird how ”quaranteed” Fantilli was supposed to go 2nd

NHL teams have scouting resources that none of pronman, wheeler, hockeyprospect.com, mckeens etc come even remotely close to. Yet people seem to think the latter ones form the "consensus".

 

[Unholy]

Yeah Ducks defense more than anything still needs time to develop so no need to rush him immediately. Would be worth the extra year

 

[CBJx614]

NHL teams have scouting resources that none of pronman, wheeler, hockeyprospect.com, mckeens etc come even remotely close to. Yet people seem to think the latter ones form the "consensus".

This. How many prospects do those guys talk to? How many of their coaches? Families? Friends? How many games do they watch in person? There's so much you can pick up watching a game live that you'll never see in a highlight real or even game footage. Like how they carry themselves on the bench after a bad shift or how they react to a bad call, the small little things.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

I just always felt like if absolutely everything goes wrong with Fantilli he'd be a third line energy depth scorer while I can't fathom how Carlsson can be less than a solid 2c

This. I think Carlsson becomes the better player, way too talented, smooth and too much hockey IQ

 

[Peasy]

This. How many prospects do those guys talk to? How many of their coaches? Families? Friends? How many games do they watch in person? There's so much you can pick up watching a game live that you'll never see in a highlight real or even game footage. Like how they carry themselves on the bench after a bad shift or how they react to a bad call, the small little things.

Mark Edward and their crew at hockeyprospect have a lot of connections to various scouts and management in the league. In their black book they have direct quotes from scouts talking about how their interviews at the combine went etc.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Feels like this has been a big debate on the board since the worlds, so I made a poll:

Leo Carlsson or Adam Fantilli?

Who will have the better career? You have to pick, poll will close in a month.

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