Why The Ducks Selected Leo Carlsson over Adam Fantilli
The Ducks made a long-term play with the pick of Carlsson.
Why The Ducks Selected Leo Carlsson over Adam FantilliAs the 2023 NHL Draft started, everyone knew that the Chicago Blackhawks would be selecting Conner Bedard with the first overall pick. It was the lock of the draft because Bedard was light years ahead of every other prospect. So it was when the Anaheim Ducks took the stage, holding the second overall pick in their hands, that the draft had officially started.
The Ducks held the second-highest pick win this draft due to their poor season last year. They finished the year on a 13-game losing streak to clinch the worst record in the NHL. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t win the chance to grab Bedard but now had the chance to pick from every other prospect in a powerful class.
It was widely assumed that Anaheim would select center Adam Fantilli from The University of Michigan. Fantilli was seen as the next-best player in this class and easily could have gone number one in any other draft. But when General Manager Pat Verbeek stepped up to the podium and announced that the Ducks would be taking center Leo Carlsson from the Swedish Hockey League, it sent waves down the draft board.
Despite the buzz surrounding Fantilli and Anaheim, as the draft inched closer, all the talk was about Verbeek and how he could pull a curveball. Carlsson was projected to go third overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets, if anything, but he now finds himself heading to sunny California.
So why did Verbeek take Carlsson over Fantilli?
That is the question many have asked themselves over the last 24 hours. I break it down below.
It’s pretty simple when you look at it, actually, but it doesn’t come without risk. Fantilli was almost as sure of a prospect as Bedard, so the Ducks passing on him could sting if he does indeed turn out to be an elite player in the NHL.
The combination of size, speed, and ability to put the puck into the back of the net made Fantilli a wanted commodity in this draft class. Additionally, his IQ and ability to read plays before they happen helped set him apart in college.
“Fantilli looks like a future NHL star and cornerstone for Columbus. He checks every box you want in a premium player: size, skating, offense and physicality.”
The biggest knock against Carlsson is his separation speed while skating but Verbeek doesn’t seem to be worried about it at all.
“That’s not even a question for me,” he said. “I watched him play against men that are good skaters. Never a question.”
Fantilli would have been a fit alongside young stars Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, giving the Ducks one of the better-scoring trios in the NHL. He was great in college, but ultimately the Ducks preferred Carlsson.
Craig Button, a former NHL executive, and longtime draft expert for TSN, spoke on this.
“And I think that’s what it came down to. It wasn’t about they don’t like Fantiilli. It wasn’t anything wrong with Fantilli. It’s just their preference was the type of player that Leo Carlsson is.”
Verbeek seems to have no qualms about taking Carlsson over Fantilli, and for good reason. His skating ability seems to be overblown, as he was dominant during his time as an 18-year-old in the Swedish leagues.
Carlsson is not only a force on offense but does possess the potential to be a strong two-way player as well. Verbeek spoke on this:
“Seeing him play center at the world championships, playing on the No. 1 line for his country and seeing him play a 200-foot game, I think that was a big thing for us, not only having potential to dominate in the offensive zone but also be able to dominate in the defensive zone.”
Having that two-way ability creates more of a mismatch for the Ducks whenever Carlsson is out on the ice. Carlsson’s game is modeled after players such as Evgeni Malkin and Anze Kopitar, both of which have dominated the league for years as two-way players and helped their teams lift the Stanley Cup.
"The defensive zone is so important," Carlsson said. "It's great to be good offensively but you can't just be good at the one [end of the ice]. I think it's important for your team and coach trusting you, being good on that side."
Additionally, his experience playing in the Swedish Hockey League gave him an edge over Fantilli. The Ducks loved the fact that he was able to hold his own against grown men in a professional league. Carlsson had 10 goals and 15 assists during his time there and then proceeded to show his potential at the World Championships for Sweden.
“I think what probably could have put him over the top was watching him at the world championships and watching him play center for the men's team in a No. 1 center position. I was really taken aback by his two-way game. I think looking at it we were excited for the potential for him to not only be a dominant player in the offensive zone but also in the defensive zone as well.”
The upside of Carlsson is there, and the Ducks recognized it. Verbeek learned how to build a consistent winner during his time working under Steve Yzerman with the Tampa Bay Lightning. It's now starting to show with the Ducks, especially with this selection of Carlsson.
Orange County Register NHL writer Lisa Dillman provided her thoughts on the pick:
"The drafting of Carlsson could be a turning point, another important piece in their prospect pipeline"
For the first time in a while, the Ducks look promising. Obviously, with any draft pick, even Bedard, it can be a risk, but Carlsson has all the potential to live up to the hype. At just 18 years old, he has room to grow and provides Anaheim with a powerful frontline piece to build around.
In addition to Carlsson, they have young talent such as Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, and more. The future is extremely bright in Anaheim, and this seems like the move that will help get the Ducks back into contention for another Stanley Cup.