The first player from the 2023 "big 3" to hit 30 goals is Adamo Giuliano Fantilli

[GunnarStahl]

Fantilli was kind of a mess early. Once Monahan went down and he started playing 1C with Marchenko on his wing a switch flipped. He can still be an adventure but his finishing ability and effort level are top notch

Yeah I knew his first chunk of the season was underwhelming, but all of the guys I listed had some pretty underwhelming chunks of the season, Michkov maybe not so much but he did get scratched so...

 

[HanSolo]

This draft class has had a really interesting year.
All key players still look legit however.

Bedard's generational label is wavering, though his situation certainly doesn't endear him to success. (On a side note for Hawks fans, I haven't been able to watch any Bedard this year till Mondays game with the Canadiens. I thought Bedard's decision making was really counter intuitive at times and stunted offense. Has that been a struggle all year, is it a top down issue from coaching, or was it just a bad one game sample?)

Carlsson had a pretty notable slump until the 4 nations but has been lights out since. Best stretch of play from a player in the class it seems.

Fantilli had the best full season of any of them from my perspective.

And Michkov is already here and delivering results.

Smith (who from my perception has always been on the cusp of this talent tier) also has shown at the NHL level that he shouldn't be excluded from the group above.

Is Bedard still the unflappable number 1 pick from this class in a redraft? Is it a bit too early to be asking that question?

I'd say too early. I think it's fair to question the generational designation as playing for a bad team after going first overall is not really an excuse for sub generational rookie and sophomore numbers when you stack him up to guys like Crosby and McDavid. That said, Bedard still has a lot of talent and came into the NHL ready to produce with that talent. It's taken others longer.

Maybe it's not too early to wonder if he might not end up the best player in his class, but it's definitely too early to answer the question. Is it possible that one of Fantilli, Michkov, Carlsson, Smith, could end up better overall? I'd say there's a greater than zero chance, but we'll just have to see. I think the more interesting question is how Celebrini and Demidov slot into a joint class. Definitely a lot of exciting young NHL talent coming in these days.

 

[hamzarocks]

Looks like Fantilli has the makings of a varisty athlete

 

[eklund2chicago]

Easily my choice for #1 in a redraft. Both him and Carlsson have alot of runway left I just prefer the type of game he plays. He is going to improve until his mid 20's. A unique package of size, speed, power and skill that is unicorn level.

Easily? What are you smoking? He scored 50 points in a way better environment and situation than Bedard, Carlsson and Michkov. How does that ”easily” translate to being first in a redraft?He’s the best pure athlete in the draft but his IQ is way worse than any of the three players mentioned above + Smith. I would say Fantilli has the least runaway of the group. Closer to go four in a redraft than one.

 

[Cool Hand Puke]

Seems like he's going under the radar a bit. 30 goals, almost 60 points, only 2 PPG. Staring to play more physical. Put the team on his back this year when Monahan went down...can't even buy a beer yet.

I remember sliding down that draft when Chicago won the lotto and wanting to put my tv through the wall. Seems to have worked out for the best.

2nd on the team in goals and he still doesn’t get top PP time. Travesty.

 

[Matsun]

Since the new year:
Bedard: 44-13-21-34
Carlsson: 45-13-19-32
Fantilli: 45-23-15-38
Smith: 41-12-20-32
Michkov: 43-12-19-31

Going to be really fun to see these guys next season, it's been a while since we've had a strong draft for forwards.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

He saying mother **** the Big 3 - it's just big me.

Oh lawd, Drake Batheson better watch out. Erik Cole already bowed out, he’s fine.

 

[AvatarAang]

Agree.

1) Reinbacher
2) Simashev
3) Fantilli

Reading the posts in this thread make it clear that Reinbacher was a terrible pick at #5

After doing some research I just noticed that Montreal fumbled back to back drafts by selecting the wrong player with their lottery pick, they could have had Cooley and Michkov.

 

[Unholy]

Since the new year:
Bedard: 44-13-21-34
Carlsson: 45-13-19-32
Fantilli: 45-23-15-38
Smith: 41-12-20-32
Michkov: 43-12-19-31

Going to be really fun to see these guys next season, it's been a while since we've had a strong draft for forwards.

This. Was an exciting time around this draft and definitely a lot to like early on in their careers

 

[Hansen]

Andiamo Fantilli

 

[newsportsfan123]

High shooting percentage will do that. He gets out-chanced on the ice, but can score, so I guess that makes him a good player. (Not trying to be negative nancy)

 

[AvatarAang]

Since the new year:
Bedard: 44-13-21-34
Carlsson: 45-13-19-32
Fantilli: 45-23-15-38
Smith: 41-12-20-32
Michkov: 43-12-19-31

Going to be really fun to see these guys next season, it's been a while since we've had a strong draft for forwards.

Wow great post! This makes it a lot easier to see how far ahead these players are from others selected in the same draft

 

[Toews2Bickell]

This draft class has had a really interesting year.
All key players still look legit however.

Bedard's generational label is wavering, though his situation certainly doesn't endear him to success. (On a side note for Hawks fans, I haven't been able to watch any Bedard this year till Mondays game with the Canadiens. I thought Bedard's decision making was really counter intuitive at times and stunted offense. Has that been a struggle all year, is it a top down issue from coaching, or was it just a bad one game sample?)

Carlsson had a pretty notable slump until the 4 nations but has been lights out since. Best stretch of play from a player in the class it seems.

Fantilli had the best full season of any of them from my perspective.

And Michkov is already here and delivering results.

Smith (who from my perception has always been on the cusp of this talent tier) also has shown at the NHL level that he shouldn't be excluded from the group above.

Is Bedard still the unflappable number 1 pick from this class in a redraft? Is it a bit too early to be asking that question?

It was an issue for him quite a bit this year. Trying to do too much, create it all by himself. The shot is still there but he has struggled to consistently create space for himself to utilize it. Hopefully he hits the lab on his skating this summer and finds that extra gear. But even with Nazar looking like a legit player there just isn't enough around him right now, once he gets some running mates his production is bound to take another step up because more talent on his line, more favorable deployments etc...the kid is playing with career bottom 6 players/journeymen rn, his goals from last night show the shot is still elite

 

[majormajor]

where would Fantilli be drafted in a redo?

In the top 3. I've always had the top three very close with Fantilli third (and wondering if Leo should be #1) - I think that the way they've played lately more people are starting to see it that way, that it is very close among the top 3.

The popular narratives in the draft year was that there was a generational center and then a 1C (Fantilli) and then a maybe 1C (Carlsson), but it's more like 3 franchise centers.

This draft class has had a really interesting year.
All key players still look legit however.

Bedard's generational label is wavering, though his situation certainly doesn't endear him to success. (On a side note for Hawks fans, I haven't been able to watch any Bedard this year till Mondays game with the Canadiens. I thought Bedard's decision making was really counter intuitive at times and stunted offense. Has that been a struggle all year, is it a top down issue from coaching, or was it just a bad one game sample?)

I think the situation is especially cruel to Bedard. He'll reach his potential (franchise center, not generational) when he gets a Marner (or the Marner) to play with.

Carlsson had a pretty notable slump until the 4 nations but has been lights out since. Best stretch of play from a player in the class it seems.

Fantilli had the best full season of any of them from my perspective.

Fantilli was worse than any of them in the first half. Carlsson and Fantilli have had a very similar turnaround. Fantilli had 17 5v5 goals in the second half, near the league lead. He really did very little in the first half other than get stuck in his own end.

High shooting percentage will do that. He gets out-chanced on the ice, but can score, so I guess that makes him a good player. (Not trying to be negative nancy)

That is basically how it goes, yes. When you have elite wheels and elite finishing ability you can make something out of nothing and help your team even when you haven't yet learned how to drive play (outchance opponents). It does make him a good player.

 

[CBJx614]

I mean. I try not to think too much about how much better Gauthier-Carlsson-Demidov would look than Gauthier-Carlsson-Killorn.

I'm fine with Anaheim taking Leo over Michkov. We needed a true 1C and we should end up with one with Carlsson. McTavish looks like he might cap out as a low end 1c level player at best. Sennecke over Demidov though? Sennecke has a lot to prove.

Fantilli with Demidov would be exciting hockey to watch

I only bring it up because we've had a surge of Russians breakout. Adding Demidov and Michkov on top of Marchenko and Voronkov, with Chinny potentially breaking out as well would've given us half of an offense from Russia

 

[WarriorofTime]

I will say... Imagine CBJ with michkov and Demidov right now

Fantilli is fine, he and Michkov will both be great players imo. Lindstrom over Demidov may sting, especially with uncertainty around Lindstrom's health.

 

[HanSolo]

I only bring it up because we've had a surge of Russians breakout. Adding Demidov and Michkov on top of Marchenko and Voronkov, with Chinny potentially breaking out as well would've given us half of an offense from Russia

That's a good point. Didn't even think of that. Yall would definitely be favorites among Russians and Russian expats if that happened.

 

[HanSolo]

Wow great post! This makes it a lot easier to see how far ahead these players are from others selected in the same draft

I just pulled this randomly checking out of curiosity given that Leo Carlsson's turn around started after the Four Nations, not after the New Year. First game back he started scoring and kept scoring.

Right now there's a clear top 5 with not all that much separation but all these kids' respective situations are different.

 

[End of Line]

Michkov/Demidov/Marchenko/Chinakhov/Voronkov/Provorov.

We have a German Village in Columbus, but we could have had a Little Russia.

There’s a Russia, OH outside of Sidney. Close enough lol.

 

[bert]

Easily? What are you smoking? He scored 50 points in a way better environment and situation than Bedard, Carlsson and Michkov. How does that ”easily” translate to being first in a redraft?He’s the best pure athlete in the draft but his IQ is way worse than any of the three players mentioned above + Smith. I would say Fantilli has the least runaway of the group. Closer to go four in a redraft than one.

Big heavy players take longer to develop he is a natural center. He isnt close to his physical peak. He has way more runway. If you're taking Michkov or Smith over him that's your perogative but those two aren't in his tier.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Ranked at two and wanted to play in Columbus.

He's pretty much become their face of the franchise and stepped up in a big way. Future captain.

 

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

Bedard's generational label is wavering, though his situation certainly doesn't endear him to success. (On a side note for Hawks fans, I haven't been able to watch any Bedard this year till Mondays game with the Canadiens. I thought Bedard's decision making was really counter intuitive at times and stunted offense. Has that been a struggle all year, is it a top down issue from coaching, or was it just a bad one game sample?)

dont want to make excuses so Ill just state the facts. Bedard has had 2 different coaches, 10+ different linemates, two position switches, two spells of 10+ games where he went scoreless, a malcontent in the locker room making a big scene, and people from all angles coming at him for his performance.

Defensively in samples you can see his improvement since the frozen nations tournament.

Do yourself a favor and watch the last game vs the Sens. Tale of 2 games for you to see. The decision making was a bit better and the confidence is back. Despite being outshot by like 30 the kids had fun and won the game in the end.

To stay on topic, Fantilli is a good kid. Glad to see him playing well.

 

[FiveTacos]

I just pulled this randomly checking out of curiosity given that Leo Carlsson's turn around started after the Four Nations, not after the New Year. First game back he started scoring and kept scoring.

Leo in his last 30 games has had 29 points while playing a strong defensive game all season. Fantilli goal scoring absolutely taking off in a big way. And yet neither guy might end up moving up in a redraft.
And on top of all that, if Michkov had gone #2 or #3 would anyone say it was a terrible pick right now? Whoever got him would still be pretty jazzed based on this season.

 

[Brookbank]

His first name is really Adamo? Parents these days. They'll name their kids anything.

Uh he probably has Italian heritage. So I doubt his parents were just trying to be edgy with his name

 

[nbwingsfan]

Easily my choice for #1 in a redraft. Both him and Carlsson have alot of runway left I just prefer the type of game he plays. He is going to improve until his mid 20's. A unique package of size, speed, power and skill that is unicorn level.

It’s no coincidence that Fantilli took off once paired with Marchenko (who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how good he is).

Columbus has like 4 players better than anything Bedard and to a lesser extent Carlson have to play with