The Anaheim Ducks May Be in The Run For Best Youth With The Blackhawks
Everyone is so worked up about the No. 1 Draft Pick of this years NHL Draft, and how Connor Bedard may be a Chicago Blackhawk. Which of course is huge, Bedard is the best player in his draft class at only age 17.
Yet, people are seeming to forgot who is ranked second overall and how the Anaheim Ducks, have slipped under everyone's radar even though they have the No. 2 pick this year.
Adam Fantilli, the Michigan kid, has been left in the dust. As all the hype surrounds Connor Bedard, and where he will be going. Without Connor Bedard in the picture, Fantilli is a No. 1 overall. So, the Anaheim Ducks are practically getting a first overall player at second overall.
Nobody, and I mean nobody. Is talking about how successful and talented the Anaheim Ducks, can and will be within the coming years especially with the addition of Adam Fantilli.
People are easily passing on how good of a future this team holds, with players already growing into themselves. Players like Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Mason McTavish, even the players the Ducks have in their system currently. In the likes of, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and now most likely Adam Fantilli.
The Anaheim Ducks, will now have the beautiful problem of having to many centers. I say beautiful, because it really isn't a big problem at all.
As it is a simple fix, with Mason McTavish, moving over to the wing, creating that amazing one-two punch with Trevor Zegras and Adam Fantilli.
This is what the Anaheim Ducks, top lines could possible look like heading into next season:
McTavish - Zegras - Terry
Henrique - Fantilli - Vatrano
Mintyukov - Zellweger
Fowler - Benoit
With the pre-season next year, it will be a great chance to watch Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger, play up with the NHL squad and see how they fit into the lineup. As well, get to see Zegras, McTavish, and Fantilli, create some unreal plays throughout the season.
Scouting Report:
Fantilli has the skillset of a first-overall pick and has shown it multiple times in the NCAA for the high-powered Michigan Wolverines. As an 18-year-old playing with and against players sometimes two or three years older than him, he looks like a seasoned veteran. With an unprecedented 25 goals in 31 games, he already has matched Paul Kariya's total from 1992-93 and could conceivably finish in the top-five all-time for goals by a college freshman. He won't hit Kariya's 100 points in 39 games, but he could make it into the realm of Eichel and Kyle Connor, who both finished with 71 points in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. Oh yes, if he keeps up his 1.80 points-per-game (PPG) pace, he will end up holding the NCAA record as Eichel ended his draft year with a 1.78 PPG � currently the best in NCAA history.
Fantilli possesses everything a scout looks for in a top-line center. From his size, speed, and playmaking ability to his hockey IQ, puckhandling, and accurate shot, he has all the tools to be a massive difference-maker in the NHL one day. It's only his first year in the NCAA and he's already dotting the highlight reels with his slick one-on-one dekes, snipe show of a shot, power moves to the net and most of all, beautiful end-to-end rushes.
Adam Fantilli Highlights:
| POLL | ||
Who has the brighter future? | ||
| Chicago | 211 | 82.7 % |
| Anaheim | 44 | 17.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
