Adam Fantilli Signs with Columbus
Bummer but not unexpected, definitely NHL-ready. Good luck to the Michigan Wolverines Blue Jackets!
I admit I had my hopes up he’d return. Oh well, cant be mad. Thanks for the great year Adam and go blue
My heart said he might return but my head said he’s gone. Good luck to him. He should have a great career!
Anaheim will definitely regret passing on him. Best of luck and looking forward to a great NHL career.
Just feels like another classic example of Michigan getting screwed by an unexpected event we had absolutely no control over
Unexpected!????
How did UM get screwed?
Unexpected for the Ducks to pass on Fantilli at #2.
There was a greater chance of him coming back if he went to Anaheim, though seems like he prob would've signed anyway.
It was probably in the 60/40 Fantilli returning range if the Ducks had picked him. It was unexpected that he would fall to the Blue Jackets, where it was more in the 80/20 range that he would sign.
So the unexpected fall to #3 “screwed” Michigan out of a significantly better chance at Fantilli returning.
I don’t see why anybody, other than a Ducks fan (how many are there?), would root for Fantilli to go to Anaheim. I get that that destination would increase his chances of coming back to Michigan, but come on, we were lucky to have him for one year. The kid was NHL ready a year ago (though I guess too young). Him being at Michigan for any small amount of time was a gift.
I have no idea how prospects think, and maybe they’re into the Inland Empire, but I’d much rather be in Columbus, a city that might actually have a real fanbase. If he helps them make a playoff run in the next few years, he will be the biggest star in town (next to, unfortunately, whichever Buckeye qb and/or receiver blows up next). The fact that there are fellow Michigan alums there makes it that much more appealing. Most importantly, he seems really happy to be a Bluejacket. People rooting for him to go to the most anonymous NHL franchise because maybe therefore he might spend another year playing college hockey, even though he would have been at least a second-line NHL center yesterday, is nonsense. If I am needlessly slandering the legions of passionate Ducks fans out there, forgive me.
Ah piss.
Stupid Ducks.
Ah, well. We could hope.
Go Blue (Jackets?)
After seeing Matty Beniers win the Calder (RoY) trophy this last year, Fantilli says "Why not me?" and signs. I don't blame him and wish him the best.
Michigan Hockey Summer
Sigh. Really wanted to see what he would do in year two. Best of luck in the NHL.
Now, let's go get Levshunov.
Would have been awesome to get a bonus year out of him, but he's NHL ready and once Anaheim passed this seemed like a foregone conclusion. It was a joy to watch him in the Maize and Blue.
Trade him right f**king now!
[Hang up.]
I was hoping he'd be drafted by Anaheim, but this could really work out for him as Columbus is on a youth movement and he's the cornerstone of their future team. Something tells me he'll be an all star for many years to come. Wish him the very best even though it will be with Columbus
Warde strikes again!
/s
Was hoping to get one more year but don’t blame him. I’m glad we got one year
The minute he didn't go to Anaheim I sort of expected him to sign. A great player and wish him luck.
In related news, the Blue Jackets just announced Mike Babcock as their new HC. Something tells me they're on the rise
Fuck Mike Babcock
God damn it Ducks.
An understatement.
Living just 25 miles north of Columbus, I'm getting all of the inside local scoop on the Blue Jackets and their GM just stated that once they knew that they weren't getting the #1 pick, they were zeroed in on Adam whom they feel has all of the tools to be a great one. Phucking Ducks
The Ducks’ management are morons. Good luck Adam!
Certainly not a Ducks fan, but all this anti-Ducks, pro-Jackets talk has me want to bring up a point.
Stanley Cups:
Ducks: 1
Jackets: 0
Conference Championships:
Ducks: 2
Jackets: 0
Division Titles:
Ducks: 6
Jackets: 0
Columbus has been to the playoffs 6 times in their 22 seasons winning 2 series.
In their 29 seasons, the Ducks have been to the playoffs 14 times winning 14 series.