F Adam Fantilli - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA (2023 Draft)

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He was definitely no slouch as a center but he was never a #1C, much less an elite center, which I believe was the original point. Pavs is and was an incredibly unique player; 5’10” and one of the worst skaters in the NHL turning into a superstar is a pretty unprecedented combination.

Luckily, there's a pretty rich history of sub 5'11 centers who have been truly elite (my post above).

Bedard certainly has the talent to succeed as a center in the NHL.

 

[MateORome]

The NHL is going for smaller players than before. Centers 5-10, 5-11, we will see more and more of them.

 

[Schemp]

The NHL is going for smaller players than before. Centers 5-10, 5-11, we will see more and more of them.

I thought Fantilli was larger?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I thought Fantilli was larger?

I was confused at first too - then I realized they’re talking about Bedard.

 

[bsu]

 

[TheBeastCoast]

That second goal was nice.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Woof, that second goal.

 

[wetcoast]

So.. not a single 5'9 or 5'10 elite center in 2022? Is he going to become the first in the modern Hockey to reach the 100 points as a 5'9/5'10 center in the NHL?

Yes he probably will be both of these things.

If Anaheim draft Bedard. Do they still try him in Center or play him in the wing with Zegras/McTavish?

In a word yes.

 

[Frk It]

I'm not even convinced I'd take Fantilli with the number 3 pick.

He can make my mind up for me this Christmas. but my expectations for him at the WJHC are not all that great.

We shall see!

What does he not have that you would want in a prospect? This kid is literally pretty close to flawless as a prospect.

Size? Check
Skating? Check
IQ? Check
Skill? Check
Scoring? Check

Plus I think teams are going to play him down the middle in the NHL. Like I don't know what else you could want from him.

 

[Corso]

What does he not have that you would want in a prospect? This kid is literally pretty close to flawless as a prospect.

Size? Check
Skating? Check
IQ? Check
Skill? Check
Scoring? Check

Plus I think teams are going to play him down the middle in the NHL. Like I don't know what else you could want from him.

He really can do it all and his greatest strength is his IQ which bodes well for future NHL stardom. I mean honestly, if it wasn't for Bedard, he would have an insane amount of hype right now. I am curious to know how many posters here would have any player go before him in the past 4 drafts?

 

[waitin425]

I'm all on the Fantilli hype train. Also the Bedard and Michkov trains as well. I think those three are the top of this class for sure. Carlsson is close but those top 3 are elite superstar potential.

 

[57special]

College production in draft year;

Eichel 40gp 71pts.

Fantilli on pace for 65 pts in 40gp.(26pts. in 16gp).


There is still a lot of hockey to be played, but it's something to watch. If Fantilli equals Eichel's output, or near enough, is he his equal as a prospect? They seem a lot more alike than they are different.

 

[ORRFForever]

Have any top scouts picked Fantilli over Bedard?

 

[Constable]

Adam Fantilli would be #1 in any other draft but he benefits massively from being on a prolific program that has, at near minimum, half of an American WJC team baked in. He routinely plays with players who will make him better irrespective of what little the metrics we have say. It is not degrading to Fantilli to say he's the second best prospect in the draft, and I would be insanely curious to see what our opinions of both look like if Bedard was on the team and Fantilli was on the Pats to gauge how much noise comes from both of their environments.

 

[bsu]

Fantilli would be #1 easily in most drafts.... that being said I have Michkov and Fantilli closer than to Bedard. If Michkov wasn't Russian that #2 spot would be REAL interesting. Not being able to come over for 3 years plus all the shit going on in the world there's no way I don't take Fantilli #2 at this exact moment.

 

[MNRube]

Adam Fantilli would be #1 in any other draft but he benefits massively from being on a prolific program that has, at near minimum, half of an American WJC team baked in. He routinely plays with players who will make him better irrespective of what little the metrics we have say. It is not degrading to Fantilli to say he's the second best prospect in the draft, and I would be insanely curious to see what our opinions of both look like if Bedard was on the team and Fantilli was on the Pats to gauge how much noise comes from both of their environments.

Worth noting is that Michigan isn’t even the most talented team in the Big Ten when it comes to prospects

 

[Bonin21]

Worth noting is that Michigan isn’t even the most talented team in the Big Ten when it comes to prospects

Michigan has more NHL potential. Minnesota is the better college hockey team at the moment.

Michigan
1-3 overall - Fantilli
4 - Hughes
13 - Nazar
14 - McGroarty
24 - Samoskevich

TBD - Brindley
46 - Casey

67 - Portillo
91 - Hallum

Minnesota
3 - Cooley
23 - Snuggerud
31 - Johnson

37 - Chesley
39 - Lacombe
46 - Faber
57 - Knies

The 4th rounders and down aren't that amazing on either team.

 

[MNRube]

Michigan has more NHL potential. Minnesota is the better college hockey team at the moment.

Michigan
1-3 overall - Fantilli
4 - Hughes
13 - Nazar
14 - McGroarty
24 - Samoskevich

TBD - Brindley
46 - Casey

67 - Portillo
91 - Hallum

Minnesota
3 - Cooley
23 - Snuggerud
31 - Johnson

37 - Chesley
39 - Lacombe
46 - Faber
57 - Knies

The 4th rounders and down aren't that amazing on either team.

Respectfully disagree. Faber, Knies, and Snuggerud would all be picked significantly higher in a redraft and Johnson and Lacombe might be as well. Gophers more talent top to bottom IMO

 

[nowhereman]

So.. not a single 5'9 or 5'10 elite center in 2022? Is he going to become the first in the modern Hockey to reach the 100 points as a 5'9/5'10 center in the NHL?

If Anaheim draft Bedard. Do they still try him in Center or play him in the wing with Zegras/McTavish?

There was another generational talent drafted at 5ft 10", 180lbs in 2005 and he seems to have had himself a pretty respectable NHL career.

 

[57special]

Respectfully disagree. Faber, Knies, and Snuggerud would all be picked significantly higher in a redraft and Johnson and Lacombe might be as well. Gophers more talent top to bottom IMO

I think Chesley is going to be a good player, also.

 

[rahad]

There was another generational talent drafted at 5ft 10", 180lbs in 2005 and he seems to have had himself a pretty respectable NHL career.

I'm pretty sure Sid has 5ft11 and around 190...

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I'm pretty sure Sid has 5ft11 and around 190...

You would be worried about that extra inch

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I'm pretty sure Sid has 5ft11 and around 190...

Yeah I mean if Sid was an inch shorter there goes the hall of fame career. Really lucky that.

 

[ps241]

Yes, extremely easily.

I mean, Crosby has what, an inch and 15 pounds on 17 year old Bedard?

This isn't some every year 1st round center who will transition because of his size and or skating, like Perfetti.

This is a generational player, who will jump straight in and be a league wide star immediately.

Good post FYI I believe Perfetti has a chance at transitioning to centre still. Might not happen but he has very solid defensive awareness and positioning. If Dubois is traded I can see the Jets trying Cole at #2 centre. To be clear I give it about a 40% probability tops but it’s not out of the question. Players like Ehlers and Connor were born to be scoring wingers, with Cole it’s way less cut and dry because he is more engaged and crafty defensively and at a younger age too.

If PLD leaves there is a large hole to fill and nobody in our system for that role presently so we’ll see.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I'm pretty sure Sid has 5ft11 and around 190...

He wasn’t the tallest. But he’s thick. Strong AF. The obsession over height alone was always toooo much