BUFFALO – Adam Fantilli masters public speaking like few hopefuls of his cuvée. The course on this subject that he took during his first year at the University of Michigan, his favorite, probably had something to do with it. And he may not have finished perfecting himself.
Present during the last day of the NHL evaluation camp on Saturday in Buffalo, the Canadian striker may not have taken part in the physical tests that concluded the exercise, but he nevertheless presented himself to again in front of the microphones.
Asked if he intends to give up his second season in the NCAA with the Wolverines to make the jump to the professionals next year, Fantilli said he was not able to make his choice for the moment.
“I couldn’t hesitate more than right now,” summed up the most recent recipient of the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded each year to the best player in the American university ranks.
“I will have to discuss it with the team that will select me to see how they see integration. To be honest, whether I make one decision or the other, I don’t think I’m wrong. If I go back to Michigan, it will still be a great place to grow. And playing in the NHL is the dream of every young person. »
If he opted for the Ann Arbor campus, Fantilli would emulate Owen Power, who after being drafted first overall by the Buffalo Sabers in 2021, decided to play one last campaign with the Wolverines.
As a bonus, he would again play alongside his older brother Luca, who is also a longtime teammate.
“To have been able to play with him for the past four years (in the NCAA, the USHL and in a prep school, editor’s note) has been extraordinary. Few people are lucky enough to be able to do that. I would be lying if I said that it does not play into my decision to return or not for another year, but I would not say that it is a decisive factor, ”he relativized.
In short, his choice will be influenced by the team that will invite him to the stage in Nashville on June 28, the evening of the first round of the draft. Seen by the vast majority of recruitment experts as the best hope behind Connor Bedard, Fantilli is however not immune to a surprise. We all remember Shane Wright.
The Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets hold the second and third selections of the 2023 auction in order. Who knows if Swedish forward Leo Carlsson will not be asked to remove his jacket before Fantilli, or if a club will dare the unthinkable by drafting Matvei Michkov in the top-3 despite the contract that binds him until 2025-2026 to SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL?
“It’s like that in the repechage every year, there are always guys who are selected earlier than expected and others who fall, realizes Fantilli. The rank where I will be selected does not matter to me. I care more about which team gets me and making sure it’s a good place for me. I never really cared about rank. »
Michkov near Bedard?
On Friday, NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said Bedard and the Russian forward were “in the same conversation” in terms of talent, but that Russia’s isolation since its invasion of Ukraine had affected Michkov’s rating for his scouting team.
“It’s difficult when you can’t see a player play in person. »
Marr further pointed out that being loaned out to HC Sochi last campaign may not have helped Michkov’s cause either.
“It was a different environment and his playing time was affected. It was not placed on the same platform [que les autres] to his year of draft eligibility. So he hasn’t enjoyed the same recognition or attention in person, but I’m sure he’ll be drafted in the first round this year,” Marr said.
“When he’s in the NHL, he’ll be an impact player. »
2023-06-10 22:03:00
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