Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Columbus Blue Jackets’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.
2023 Draft Grade: A
Adam Fantilli is a big reason for the high grade for Columbus. I’m a big believer in this player. I had him as the No. 2 prospect in the draft and I think he can be a star No. 1 center for the Blue Jackets. I do like his Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley quite a lot as well and think he has a real shot to be a top-nine forward. William Whitelaw, Andrew Strathmann and Luca Pinelli have varying chances to play games, but that Michigan duo brings an excellent infusion of speed, skill and compete into the Columbus organization.
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Draft Class
3. Adam Fantilli, C, MICHIGAN (BIG10)
October 12, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 195 pounds
Tier: Elite NHL player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Elite
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Jonathan Toews
Background: Fantilli had one of the best seasons ever by a first-year draft eligible in college in the modern era, which culminated in him winning the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in college hockey. He had one of the best underage seasons ever in the USHL in 2021-22. The prior season he was named MVP of the USHL playoffs in Chicago’s run to a championship in 2021. Internationally, his record isn’t as stellar. He played OK in a limited role at the world juniors this season and was productive but not amazing at the U18 worlds in 2022. He did play a regular role on Canada’s senior men’s team at the World Championships though.
Analysis: There’s so much to love about Fantilli’s NHL projection. He’s got a huge frame, skates well and competes very hard. He wins a lot of battles and isn’t shy to use his big frame to lay out opponents. He has game-breaking puck skills and will be able to beat NHL opponents regularly with his puckhandling, especially given his speed and wingspan. His playmaking isn’t the main thing that gets you excited about his game, but Fantilli can make difficult passes and has strong enough sense to create chances in the NHL. His shot is also a threat from range. That he can create with so much pace is what makes him exciting from an NHL perspective. He checks every box and projects as a No. 1 center on a good NHL team.
Thoughts on the pick: 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. He becomes the most important part of their rebuild, and someone who could potentially be in the league for them next season as they try to win. Now with Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, and Kent Johnson in the organization, they have options down the middle with significant talent, something they haven’t had in arguably their franchise’s existence.
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34. Gavin Brindley, C, MICHIGAN (BIG10)
October 5, 2004 | 5′ 8″ | 168 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Player comparable: Kailer Yamamoto
Background: Brindley was a top player for a top college team in Michigan this season and saw his role elevate as the season went along. He also played a notable role on USA’s world juniors team. A rare top prospect from the Florida area who came up in the Florida Alliance program, Brindley was very good in Tri-City of the USHL as well. He played for Team USA last season at the U18s too.
Analysis: With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. He’s able to make skilled plays at full speed and plays with courage, going to the net and engaging along the walls. Brindley’s pure offensive touch won’t dazzle, but he has good hands and hockey sense and can make plays at higher levels. There aren’t a ton of two-way forwards in the NHL who barely touch 5-foot-9, but Brindley has the right mix of traits to be the next one even if there’s risk on his projection. I see a middle-six forward whether at center or the wing, but likely the latter.
66. William Whitelaw, RW, YOUNGSTOWN (USHL)
February 5, 2005 | 5′ 9″ | 175 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Background: Whitelaw was a highly-productive player in the USHL for Youngstown. He also was a point-per-game player for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky. He was a notable cut from Team USA for the World Jr. A Challenge. Whitelaw came up through the Shattuck St. Mary’s program and is committed to Wisconsin.
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Analysis: Whitelaw’s game is full of pace due to his powerful skating stride. He’ll be able to carry through the neutral zone at higher levels and create controlled entries with his speed and skill. I wouldn’t call him an amazing playmaker, but he makes some creative passes and can make things happen off the flank with both his vision and shot. Whitelaw’s compete is fine. He gets inside well enough, has some physicality and can win some battles but I wouldn’t call his all-around game a strength and his effort level in general isn’t great. He’s a good junior and college player for sure, but the question is at 5-foot-9, is there anything really high end about his game that could land him a legit role on an NHL team? As of now, I lean no on that question, but his talent gives him a chance.
98. Andrew Strathmann, LHD, YOUNGSTOWN (USHL)
February 27, 2005 | 5′ 11″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Background: Strathmann was an important all-situations defenseman for Youngstown this season. He also played a large role for USA’s Hlinka Gretzky and World Junior A team. He was traded in the offseason from the Tri-City Storm. He is committed to North Dakota.
Analysis: Strathmann’s skating is an NHL asset. He can evade pressure and turn the play up ice on a dime. His skating and very good hands allow him to walk the line and create a lot of offense for a defenseman. Strathmann’s playmaking isn’t outstanding, but he sees the ice well, can find open teammates and make quality passes at both ends of the ice. He lacks ideal size at 5-foot-11, but he plays hard, he’s not a pushover physically, and his skating gives him a chance to defend versus men despite his frame. He doesn’t truly stand out at either end, so while I think he plays games, I’m unsure what a long-term NHL role would be for him.
114. Luca Pinelli, C, OTTAWA (OHL)
April 5, 2005 | 5′ 9″ | 167 pounds
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Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Background: Pinelli was a top scorer on a strong Ottawa 67’s team. He was an invite to Canada’s U18 camp and was the 28th pick in his OHL Draft.
Analysis: Pinelli is a talented scoring winger. His game has a lot of pace and skill in it. His skating is excellent, with both the first-step quickness and pure speed to skate versus men. Pinelli has good hands and offensive IQ, showing ability to create from a standstill and with his feet moving. On the power play he can zip pucks around well while also being a threat with his one-timer. His effort level is solid; he wins more battles than he should for a 5-foot-9 player. I do think he gets pushed to the outside too easily still, likely in part due to his frame. Pinelli is an excellent junior player and has a chance to make it, but whether he’s special enough for a smaller player will be the hurdle he’ll have to climb.
156. Melvin Strahl, G, MODO JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)
March 18, 2005 | 6′ 3″ | 163 pounds
Background: Strahl is a 6-foot-3 goalie who posted a .883 SV% getting regular starts for Modo’s J20 team.
194. Oiva Keskinen, C, TAPPARA JR. (FINLAND-JR.)
February 28, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 180 pounds
Background: Keskinen played a large role on Taapara’s J20 team that won the title in Finland’s junior league this season as a re-entry draft eligible.
224. Tyler Peddle, LW, DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL)
January 28, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 204 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Background: Peddle had a slightly disappointing season in the QMJHL this year, repeating his scoring rates from his 16-year-old season. He was invited to Canada’s U18 camp in the summer. He was the second pick in his QMJHL Draft.
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Analysis: Peddle has a very interesting toolkit. He’s got decent size, he skates quite well, and has very good hands. On his best shift he looks like an NHLer, with the power and talent to gain the zone and get to the net at the highest levels. He also has quite a good shot and can score both in tight and from range. He’s not an amazing two-way player, but doesn’t shy from contact and has some pushback in his game. His hockey sense concerns me a little. Peddle skates with his head down at times and I don’t love his decision making with the puck. Thus I wonder whether he’s going to generate enough offense as a pro, but his pure tools give him a shot.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
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