As I continue on with draft-eligible player comparisons, next up involves an analysis of Adam Fantilli and Matvei Michkov. With regard to Fantilli, the University of Michigan freshman has 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) for the Wolverines this season, and has a plus/minus rating of +30. Fantilli finished the season as college hockey’s points leader, and then tacked on 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) in the Big 10 tournament en route to being named its most valuable player. Also, Fantilli has been named the Big 10 Freshman of the Year, and he is favored to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player. Finally, at the 2023 World Junior Championship Fantilli recorded 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists), and was even in the +/- category for Team Canada.
Concerning Matvei Matvichuk, he has amassed a combined total of 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) and a -4 rating in 42 games in Russia’s professional leagues this season (9 goals, 11 assists and +1 in 30 games in the top-tier KHL; 10 goals, 4 assists and -5 in 12 games in the second-tier VHL). Unfortunately, Michkov was unable to compete at the world juniors this season, although he did record three goals in two games for Team Russia in the 2022 WJC prior to its cancellation.
For player comparison purposes, Fantilli gets the nod here. Not only does his combination of size (6’2, 190) and skill stand out in this draft, he has proven time and again this season to be at his best when his team needs him most. Additionally, Michkov is under contract in the KHL through the 2025-26 season, so his arrival in North America will be delayed at least until that time.