Sport

the generational star of fantilli is beginning to shine

Published

11 months ago

January 13, 2024

While he flew under the radar for the first chunk of the NHL season, Columbus’ 2023 third overall pick Adam Fantilli is picking up the pace and starting to prove that Bedard isn’t the only generational talent from his draft.

Flying beneath the radar is not something Adam Fantilli is unhappy about.

During his rookie season, which has taken place in the midst of the Connor Bedard Show, the 2023 third-overall pick has mostly remained in the background. Fantilli, who went into his incredibly brilliant draft year as the consensus second-best prospect, isn’t envious of Bedard’s attention, though.

“I don’t know if I’d love that,” Fantilli told The Hockey News. “It seems like everything he does is under a microscope.”

Being out of the spotlight to start the year was a blessing for Fantilli, who tallied just 10 points in his first two months of NHL action (24 games). No salacious headlines were being published during an acclimation process that saw him struggle to produce offensively while being deployed in a variety of roles. He could just play and figure it out. And that he has.

Fantilli has been on a roll since the beginning of December, leading all rookies in goals (7) and sharing the record for most points by a rookie (14), having played 18 games during that time. After Boone Jenner suffered an injury on December 8, Fantilli was thrust into the starting center position for the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he has performed admirably against the finest lines in the opposition. Fantilli has appeared more at ease in the major leagues with each game that goes by. So much so that it won’t be long before he is in the limelight, albeit a less intense one than Bedard’s.

Fantilli’s upside cannot be understated. The Nobelton, Ont. native is coming off recording a 65-point NCAA campaign with the Michigan Wolverines that earned him the Hobey Baker Award as a freshman. According to HockeyProspecting.com, players who produce as Fantilli did in his draft year have a 79 percent chance of becoming star NHL players (which Bader defines as having at least a 0.70 P/PG mark).

“He’s a very, very fast player. But he’s also got a great shot and a great release. That’s what makes him a great player,” said Columbus forward Johnny Gaudreau.

While Bedard was lauded as the hands-down best shooter in the 2023 draft (which he was), Fantilli is a nifty sniper of his own. He’s also established himself as a high-volume shooter, recording a team-high 9.05 shots per 60 that puts him among the league’s best during this 18-game stretch, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

“You look at his goals, I mean, he can release that puck… as good as anyone in this league, at a young age,” said Columbus Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent.

Over this last month and a half, Fantilli’s rockstar ability has been on full display.

“He’s got a swagger about him,” Vincent said. “He feels he deserves to be in this league and he feels that he can make a difference in this league. He can skate. He’s big. Very mature. But I think his mindset is the biggest difference maker.”

And his mindset is what also allowed him to stay grounded amid the early season struggles. Fantilli, an elite top-tier player for his entire life heading into this year, never lost his confidence throughout his early season struggles.

“I’m 19 and playing in the NHL — it’s going to be tough and you’re going to go through those lulls where you don’t get a point for 10 games or whatever,” Fantilli said. “It’s all part of the learning process. Learning how to get yourself out of those slumps is what’s going to help me produce more consistently down the road.”