by J.T. Toth
Photo of Adam Fantilli on the ice.
The 2023 NHL Draft will be here before you know it, and Draft 412 will preview some of the prospects who will be probable first round picks. Draft 412 will go over the strengths and weaknesses of each prospect, and where they should land in the NHL Draft. The lottery is scheduled for May 8th so we will have a better idea of where these prospects will be when the Pittsburgh Penguins make their first-round pick.
Name- Adam Fantilli
Pos- C
Team- University of Michigan
HT/WT- 6’2” 187 lbs.
Born- 10/12/2004
Home – Nobleton, Canada
Adam Fantilli left home three years ago to play for the Chicago Steel for two seasons, with the intent of playing hockey for the University of Michigan in the United States for his draft eligible season. When the season began, Fantilli was considered a top 5 draft prospect, and after an impressive season at Michigan, he has seen his draft stock rise to a top 3 pick.
Fantilli is the most complete prospect in the draft. Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov may have more offensive talent, but they have holes in their defensive game. Fantilli has the full complement of NHL traits that scouts look for.
For such a young player, Fantilli sees the game on a different level. He can find teammates anywhere on the ice, and his decision making is impressive. He can run or be a trigger man on a team’s powerplay. He possesses a hard, powerful wrist shot, and he terrorizes goalies with a laser-like one timer. If all this don’t impress you, Fantilli is one of the best overall skaters in the draft and is able to play with an intense motor.
Like any other player, Adam Fantilli is not perfect. His shot accuracy, as an example, is not as pinpoint as Connor Bedard’s. And at times, like many other young players, he tries to do everything on his own and forgets about his teammates. Fantilli still has some improvement to make as a defensive center, but he is still more developed here than the other top picks.
Final Analysis
The Michigan Wolverines have been responsible for 7 first round picks in the past two years and Adam Fantilli has a chance to be better than them all. Some team at the top of the draft board will have an easy choice after Connor Bedard goes off the board. Fantilli should be able to play and compete in the NHL from day one.
Draft 412 has Fantilli as the third best prospect in the draft. We believe, though, he will go to #2.
Round 1- Top 3 / #3 on Draft 412 big board.
