C Leo Carlsson (2023, 2nd, ANA)

[vippe]

Happy to see Leo really playing well, I loved what I saw from him last year in Sweden, I thought he might need another year here but from the little I have seen him play in the big league he looks way ahead of where I thought he would be.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I think at this point it's pretty fair to say people like myself were wrong when we thought there was a gap between Fantilli and Carlsson at this point they're equals as prospects they just bring different elements to the table

Carlsson is very easily a better prospect than Fantilli IMO, and that's no shade on Fantilli.

Carlsson was considered the more raw prospect, as Fantilli matured much earlier than Carlsson (Fantilli could have stepped into the NHL at the beginning of last year and not looked out of place. I don't think you could say the same for Leo). But despite being behind on physical development, I think Carlsson is already the better player. He looks like a true 1C out there - his ceiling is like a Barkov/Matthews hybrid, a top 3-5 center in the league.

Fantilli has been great for the blue jackets this year, but he doesn't have that sort of potential. Top 10-15 center? Perhaps. He's a terrific prospect and already a very good player, but he's just not on Carlsson's level IMO.

 

[Peasy]

Carlsson is very easily a better prospect than Fantilli IMO, and that's no shade on Fantilli.

Carlsson was considered the more raw prospect, as Fantilli matured much earlier than Carlsson (Fantilli could have stepped into the NHL at the beginning of last year and not looked out of place. I don't think you could say the same for Leo). But despite being behind on physical development, I think Carlsson is already the better player. He looks like a true 1C out there - his ceiling is like a Barkov/Matthews hybrid, a top 3-5 center in the league.

Fantilli has been great for the blue jackets this year, but he doesn't have that sort of potential. Top 10-15 center? Perhaps. He's a terrific prospect and already a very good player, but he's just not on Carlsson's level IMO.

The IQ difference will likely be the separating factor that allows Carlsson to reach a higher level imo. Talent and athletic ability can only take you so far.

 

[ZEBROA]

He need practice on soem things and it good that they give him a lot of practice(i hope they do) between games. He realy need to practice faceoffs at one point. And shoot selection. A few percent less of that pass first mentality would be nice.

I want to see him every game , but if this is what he and management feel is best...

Good start this far!

 

[Kalv]

I wonder if the same people today complaining about how Pat handles Leo, are the ones that laughed about Pat's decision to pick Leo in the first place... I assume at least some are. In that case, one could give Pat some benefit of the doubt. You know... he actually knows a thing or two

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I think we should be happy they are doing load management with him and being cautious. Verbeek doesn't want to Kotkaniemi/Lafreniere him, Carolina turned Kotka around eventually but Montreal threw him to the wolves playing him 79 games as a 18y rookie.

 

[Faceboner]

I wish my team had Carlsson, I've always had him ahead.

But you really can't brush away the fact that Bedard and Fantilli are two of the most physically precocious D+1s we've had in a long time. The physical preparation is a big part of why Carlsson is on this plan. Nice try trying to spin it as hypocrisy.

FWIW I've made countless comments over the years saying that players like Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger and now David Jiricek need more gym and practice time and less games played. Fantilli is exempt from that because he's a freak, not because he's on my team. The Ducks are doing what I've been preaching for a long time.

Edit: I've also repeatedly made the point that the Russian model of forward development that puts training over games played is better. This comes up all the time when HFers are upset that their favorite prospect isn't getting ice time in the KHL, people have no idea how important gym and practice are relative to game time.

Malkin, ovi and kucherov turned out ok

 

[Leonardo87]

I wonder if the same people today complaining about how Pat handles Leo, are the ones that laughed about Pat's decision to pick Leo in the first place... I assume at least some are. In that case, one could give Pat some benefit of the doubt. You know... he actually knows a thing or two

I wanted Leo after watching him in the WC, Fantilli didn’t impress me as much.

I’m on the fence with the management thing only because he looks great and want to see him play more but if this is the course and will help
Him in the long run, so be it.

 

[Barrie22]

Malkin, ovi and kucherov turned out ok

Stamkos also.

 

[shach1]

Carlsson, agent on board with Ducks' plan to have rookie sit out games | NHL.com

No. 2 pick in 2023 NHL Draft says he believes in Anaheim's progressive strength, development program

www.nhl.com

 

[HanSolo]

I wonder if the same people today complaining about how Pat handles Leo, are the ones that laughed about Pat's decision to pick Leo in the first place... I assume at least some are. In that case, one could give Pat some benefit of the doubt. You know... he actually knows a thing or two

I mean I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing and I preferred Fantilli on draft day (though I was more open minded to Carlsson that quite a few Ducks fans). I can't say if this load management is or isn't the right thing for Leo and we'll never really know whether it was or wasn't. All I can say is it's deflating getting excited to watch Leo only to hear he's a healthy scratch. But I can also say that Leo was a smart pick by Anaheim. The Ducks clearly did their homework so, I mean, who am into question their handling of the kid in a development year?

 

[Gliff]

I mean I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing and I preferred Fantilli on draft day (though I was more open minded to Carlsson that quite a few Ducks fans). I can't say if this load management is or isn't the right thing for Leo and we'll never really know whether it was or wasn't. All I can say is it's deflating getting excited to watch Leo only to hear he's a healthy scratch. But I can also say that Leo was a smart pick by Anaheim. The Ducks clearly did their homework so, I mean, who am into question their handling of the kid in a development year?

I thought, and still think, Fantilli was a perfect fit for Zegras.
I thought Carlsson had the higher upside, but was more risky.

But, I trusted the Ducks scouts and they clearly made a good choice. Not to say Fantilli isn't going to be as good but Carlsson already looks like a complete #1 center at 18...

 

[HanSolo]

I thought, and still think, Fantilli was a perfect fit for Zegras.
I thought Carlsson had the higher upside, but was more risky.

But, I trusted the Ducks scouts and they clearly made a good choice. Not to say Fantilli isn't going to be as good but Carlsson already looks like a complete #1 center at 18...

I actually thought Fantilli had the higher absolute upside (while Carlsson had a higher floor) but I did perceive both to have 100+ point ceilings so I was willing to accept either. It's just absolutely crazy to me how good he already looks.

By way of tracking the growth of the future, the Ducks always have something on offer with Mintyukov and Lacombe but I get the most excited to watch Leo. I can't say that a forward prospect has ever looked this good this quickly for Anaheim.

And I'll admit that part of it is vindicating for me and I'm sure others in getting to the point that we hoped Anaheim would secure the best pick possible. Independent of how stellar the rest of that top 3 could end up, this is shaping up to me an absolute home run of a pick.

 

[Ducks]

Landing a player that can be a true #1C in their D+1 season is so incredibly rare that I'm still in shock the Ducks managed to get this kind of a player without the 1oa pick. As a franchise, we've never been in this position before.

 

[Janvonpobben]

sounds like the plan to play Leo around 40-50 games this season which will make him have no chance at calder trophy. a pity.

 

[EddieTheEagle]

Landing a player that can be a true #1C in their D+1 season is so incredibly rare that I'm still in shock the Ducks managed to get this kind of a player without the 1oa pick. As a franchise, we've never been in this position before.

As a Hawks fan, I was obviously looking at Bedard, Fantilli, and Carlsson, all last season, as we had a chance to get one of those guys.

Honestly, from watching the Hawks and the Ducks, Carlsson is more NHL-ready than Bedard. I do think Bedard possesses a better box of tools in some regards and will probably put up more points in the long run when Chicago surrounds him with a capable cast, but Leo has transitioned better into the NHL than I ever thought he could. Anaheim is well on its way with Carlsson added into MacT and the existing offensive group, along with arguably the best young D set coming up.

Congrats Ducks fans, the future is bright and I hope for a long and successful career for Leo. Really happy to see all of CBJ, CHI, and ANA, happy with how it has turned out.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Landing a player that can be a true #1C in their D+1 season is so incredibly rare that I'm still in shock the Ducks managed to get this kind of a player without the 1oa pick. As a franchise, we've never been in this position before.

This draft was not a conventional one. It has some reminiscent of 2015 with McDavid and Eichel. Eichel would have been a 1st overall in like 90% of NHL draft just like Carlsson and Fantilli are both 1st overall in like 90% of most draft.

 

[Peasy]

sounds like the plan to play Leo around 40-50 games this season which will make him have no chance at calder trophy. a pity.

Is there a direct source saying this many games?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Is there a direct source saying this many games?

I think the main source said something like 2 games a week for first 2 months. Not going check the for sure numbers, but I’m guessing it’s closer to about 60-65 games

 

[Thallis]

it’s not that deep dude. The team, player and agent all agreed on this course before the season started. They are taking a cautious approach with an 18yr old kid. Nothing more to dissect here

It's also not even necessarily a cautious approach. By limiting the games he plays in, they give him a lot more time that he can work in the gym and develop his body to become a true dominant superstar in the years beyond this one. He looks great and is playing big minutes when he does get in, but with this regimen you have the potential to be even better for longer a year or two from now.

 

[Hollel]

It's also not even necessarily a cautious approach. By limiting the games he plays in, they give him a lot more time that he can work in the gym and develop his body to become a true dominant superstar in the years beyond this one. He looks great and is playing big minutes when he does get in, but with this regimen you have the potential to be even better for longer a year or two from now.

Yeah great point as well

 

[SmokeyDuck]

I think they decided to do the load management because the post count on this thread is falling behind lol

 

[HanSolo]

This draft was not a conventional one. It has some reminiscent of 2015 with McDavid and Eichel. Eichel would have been a 1st overall in like 90% of NHL draft just like Carlsson and Fantilli are both 1st overall in like 90% of most draft.

I think it's fair to say that Michkov could have gotten first overall in many drafts if not for certain extraordinary factors at play. And Will Smith would easily be a top 3 pick in a lot of drafts. Crazy stacked draft year.

 

[FiveTacos]

It's also not even necessarily a cautious approach. By limiting the games he plays in, they give him a lot more time that he can work in the gym and develop his body to become a true dominant superstar in the years beyond this one. He looks great and is playing big minutes when he does get in, but with this regimen you have the potential to be even better for longer a year or two from now.

As I'm re-reading the quotes, it seems they may actually be hoping he can be better later this season.

Congrats Ducks fans, the future is bright and I hope for a long and successful career for Leo. Really happy to see all of CBJ, CHI, and ANA, happy with how it has turned out.

It's a pretty rare scenario. Really there was no going wrong for the top 3. Relief from Ducks fans at finishing last was more about being assured one of those guys, rather than the still less than 50% chance at Bedard.

I like all 3 guys, and at times envisioned each of them on my team, so I find myself strangely a fan of all 3 players now and hope that they all have successful careers. The only real disappointment is that there was no way to get more than one of these players.

 

[majormajor]

As I'm re-reading the quotes, it seems they may actually be hoping he can be better later this season.


It's a pretty rare scenario. Really there was no going wrong for the top 3. Relief from Ducks fans at finishing last was more about being assured one of those guys, rather than the still less than 50% chance at Bedard.

I like all 3 guys, and at times envisioned each of them on my team, so I find myself strangely a fan of all 3 players now and hope that they all have successful careers. The only real disappointment is that there was no way to get more than one of these players.

Yes, we can all feel good that we got a great player. I'm not worried at all about whether my team got the best one of the bunch, because they're all so good. That's a pretty big departure from your typical HF slapfights over who drafted the best guy.