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

[Dack]

Production-wise he's actually closer to Parise's draft season now than Eichel's.

Not that there's a big difference in age but Parise was technically an overager in the year he was drafted.

His hockey IQ just stinks tbh. Lawson crouse written all over him

I can't say I've seen a tonne of Fantilli but Crouse was never that talented. I wouldn't even call him a hockey IQ issue. He was just big, skated and shot well. Fantilli has much better tools and I think he's more overwhelmed than dumb. Fantilli is producing at a higher rate in the NCAA than Crouse could in the OHL, the majority of Canada's skaters have looked bad so far.

 

[nbwingsfan]

We still thinking Fantilli > Bedard @NewEraGM ?

 

[Mathieukferland]

We still thinking Fantilli > Bedard @NewEraGM ?

Obviously, Grant McCagg said so

 

[nbwingsfan]

Obviously, Grant McCagg said so

Can’t argue with that math.

 

[hamzarocks]

Fantilli will still be a great player and likely a ppg+ Center in his prime

Bedard though will be a ppg+ player as a rookie, and is just on a different level.

The first prospect to come out since 2015 who could/would/should go 1st overall in 2015 over CM97 (the prospect)

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

For the record Eichel had 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 games at the WJC in his draft year.

There are four elite u18 forwards in this draft.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Got an assist against Germany at least.

 

[Zaddy]

Love the overreactions in this thread based on 1-2 games at the WJC lol. Never change HF.

 

[Kalv]

For the record Eichel had 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 games at the WJC in his draft year.

There are four elite u18 forwards in this draft.

Yeah but he still hasn't gotten his team into playoffs

but yeah, dominating his decent NCAA team is not enough as a few games in the WJC as an underage, I suppose Sample size is still massively in his favor of him being a grade-A prospect.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Love the overreactions in this thread based on 1-2 games at the WJC lol. Never change HF.

When Bedard puts on the Canada sweater.. his powers are enhanced.

Fantilli is the opposite. He has always looked pretty mid when playing for Canada.

 

[finkelsteinberg]

I can't say I've seen a tonne of Fantilli but Crouse was never that talented. I wouldn't even call him a hockey IQ issue. He was just big, skated and shot well. Fantilli has much better tools and I think he's more overwhelmed than dumb. Fantilli is producing at a higher rate in the NCAA than Crouse could in the OHL, the majority of Canada's skaters have looked bad so far.

Not saying Crouse would be a top pick but is no one paying attention to him anymore? As with big power forwards, they seem to take longer to develop and it looks like Crouse is finally hitting his stride. All while playing a team devoid of talent.

 

[Dack]

Not saying Crouse would be a top pick but is no one paying attention to him anymore? As with big power forwards, they seem to take longer to develop and it looks like Crouse is finally hitting his stride. All while playing a team devoid of talent.

I know that Crouse is hitting his stride now but he still wasn't nearly as good of a prospect as Fantilli. Aside from the weird overhyping that went on when he made the WJC Crouse was never in contention to be a top 3 pick. Fantilli will be gone by 5 at the absolute latest. Fantilli has a higher points per game in the NCAA this year than Crouse had in the OHL in his D+1 season.

 

[Fyodorov]

Fantilli will still be a great player and likely a ppg+ Center in his prime

Bedard though will be a ppg+ player as a rookie, and is just on a different level.

The first prospect to come out since 2015 who could/would/should go 1st overall in 2015 over CM97 (the prospect)

Pretty wild how we have now reached the point where he is not only on McDavid's level, but also he would hypothetically be picked over him.

By this time next week we are going to have posters saying he's a better prospect than Gretzky/Lemiuex.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Fantilli has all the skills, size and talent. All that is lacking is maturity in his game. He's impatient.

 

[bert]

Can’t argue with that math.

He has some good takes but his hatred of this team Canada over his hatred of Shane Wright has taken all his credibility away in my opinion. Its clearly fueled by emotion as he is quite clearly a massive habs fan. I didnt like Wrights game last year either he was lazy etc. But he looks alot better to me now, players can have off or bad years.

Fantilli to me has been the most disappointing prospect I have watched in a long time. Didnt like his game at the U 18's some really bad turnovers. Now I see a player that has a solid foundation of tools but I dont see the wow factor. I have only watched him like 7 times so its not a large sample size but typically by this point I see a flash in a prospect or player that make me go 'oh ok there it is'. I am still waiting for that moment.

I know that Crouse is hitting his stride now but he still wasn't nearly as good of a prospect as Fantilli. Aside from the weird overhyping that went on when he made the WJC Crouse was never in contention to be a top 3 pick. Fantilli will be gone by 5 at the absolute latest. Fantilli has a higher points per game in the NCAA this year than Crouse had in the OHL in his D+1 season.

Alot of people should eat alot of crow for Crouse on here. They wont come answer the bell I know it but it was quite clear to me he was going to be an NHL player and got drafted right where he should have in a normal draft. Maybe a little high in such a stacked year but he is still a top 20 pick in one of the best drafts ever. His skillset was always going to take longer and look at him now. Powerforward beastly winger.

Fantilli is quite clearly a more skilled player dont know if his physicality or compete level will be the same. I dont see many similarities if any to Crouse.

 

[NewEraGM]

We still thinking Fantilli > Bedard @NewEraGM ?

Lol yea probably not. Got carried away, but still think Fantilli is elite! Just not number 1

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Maybe a little high in such a stacked year but he is still a top 20 pick in one of the best drafts ever. His skillset was always going to take longer and look at him now. Powerforward beastly winger.

Fantilli is quite clearly a more skilled player dont know if his physicality or compete level will be the same. I dont see many similarities if any to Crouse.

I don't want to turn this into a Crouse thread but there were definitely 20 better players in that 2015 draft, especially if we are looking at the totality of their careers. The crazy part about Crouse back in 2015 is some lists had him at like 7th overall, that is what people could not understand.

 

[bert]

I don't want to turn this into a Crouse thread but there were definitely 20 better players in that 2015 draft, especially if we are looking at the totality of their careers.

I dunno, maybe if you look at it that way. Are there 20 better players than him right now and going forward? Quickly looking at it I think he is around 20 OA. HF doesnt value size and physicality as much as I do though. Like id take him over a player like Mangiapane personally if I am trying to win a cup.

 

[macbowes]

Pretty wild how we have now reached the point where he is not only on McDavid's level, but also he would hypothetically be picked over him.

By this time next week we are going to have posters saying he's a better prospect than Gretzky/Lemiuex.

Nobody is taking Bedard over McDavid.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Yeah but he still hasn't gotten his team into playoffs

but yeah, dominating his decent NCAA team is not enough as a few games in the WJC as an underage, I suppose Sample size is still massively in his favor of him being a grade-A prospect.

He’s not a true “underager” for this tournament the same way Bedard is or players like Mackinnon were. He’s the same late birthday someone like Lafreniere was when he put up 10pts in 5 games and won MVP

Pretty wild how we have now reached the point where he is not only on McDavid's level, but also he would hypothetically be picked over him.

By this time next week we are going to have posters saying he's a better prospect than Gretzky/Lemiuex.

Well before last nights games there are a TON of people who have thought he’s on McDavids level.

Last night just showed everyone else why.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Lol yea probably not. Got carried away, but still think Fantilli is elite! Just not number 1

Yeah there’s nothing wrong with thinking Fantilli is elite and I think he absolutely goes at least top 4 in the draft as the tools are all there, he’s just missed a bit of “wow” factor and has some IQ kinks to workout for sure.

It’s just very obvious watching them play together that Bedard is on another level.

 

[macbowes]

He’s not a true “underager” for this tournament the same way Bedard is or players like Mackinnon were. He’s the same late birthday someone like Lafreniere was when he put up 10pts in 5 games and won MVP


Well before last nights games there are a TON of people who have thought he’s on McDavids level.

Last night just showed everyone else why.

0% chance he's on McD's level. Bedard being on McD's level would mean a minimum of 1 Art Ross, 1 Hart, 1 Ted Lindsay, and a PPG of 1.2+ on his ELC. If you think Bedard is going to win the Hart in any of 2024, 2025, or 2026, I think you're out to lunch. McD was the concensus best player in the league by the time he was 20. Do you really think we're going to say the same of Bedard?

 

[nbwingsfan]

0% chance he's on McD's level. Bedard being on McD's level would mean a minimum of 1 Art Ross, 1 Hart, 1 Ted Lindsay, and a PPG of 1.2+ on his ELC. If you think Bedard is going to win the Hart in any of 2024, 2025, or 2026, I think you're out to lunch. McD was the concensus best player in the league by the time he was 20. Do you really think we're going to say the same of Bedard?

He may not, because he will be playing against a prime McDavid while Bedard will still be learning the NHL.

Do I think he will also win a ton of Art Ross and Rockets though? Yes.

 

[Fyodorov]

Nobody is taking Bedard over McDavid.

Well, I agree no GM would, but the poster I quoted said he would lol

 

[macbowes]

He may not, because he will be playing against a prime McDavid while Bedard will still be learning the NHL.

Do I think he will also win a ton of Art Ross and Rockets though? Yes.

Bedard 18/19 [2023-24]	McDavid 26/27 [2023-24]
Bedard 19/20 [2024-25]	McDavid 27/28 [2024-25]
Bedard 20/21 [2025-26]	McDavid 28/29 [2025-26]
Bedard 21/22 [2026-27]	McDavid 29/30 [2026-27]
Bedard 22/23 [2027-28]	McDavid 30/31 [2027-28]
Bedard 23/24 [2028-29]	McDavid 31/32 [2028-29]

I could see Bedard eventually winning in the 2028-29 season, but McDavid is likely to have 7+ Art Ross trophies by then, so Bedard is going to have to do a LOT of hardware winning to eventually be on McD's level.

Don't get me wrong, I think Bedard is an amazing prospect with the potential to be a top 5 player in the league, year-in-year-out. For me, that's still a level below McD, who is (imo) a top 3 player of all time.