NHLSep 26
Blue Jackets Make Adam Fantilli Their Highest-Paid Player With $82.5 Million Deal
The center’s six-year extension ends his training camp absence and secures a key piece of Columbus’ push to return to the playoffs.
· 2 min read
On this page3 sections
Contract ends camp wait
Adam Fantilli is heading back to Columbus with a six-year, $82.5 million extension that puts him atop the Blue Jackets’ payroll. The agreement carries an average annual value of $13.75 million. The 21-year-old restricted free agent missed the first week of training camp while negotiations continued. He had kept his bags ready at his Michigan home for two weeks before receiving word Thursday morning to report. General manager Don Waddell prioritized a six-year commitment. After the sides settled on that term, negotiations focused on raising the annual compensation.
A central role in Columbus
Fantilli enters the season after finishing second on the Blue Jackets with 24 goals and third with 59 points. He became the third player in franchise history to record multiple 20-goal seasons before turning 22. Columbus selected him third overall in the 2023 NHL draft following his Hobey Baker Award-winning season at the University of Michigan. He is expected to lead a top line featuring Kirill Marchenko and offseason addition Valeri Nichushkin. Marchenko paced Columbus with 27 goals last season, while Nichushkin arrived from Colorado.
Playoffs remain the target
Fantilli hopes to appear in the final preseason game Saturday at Detroit despite his abbreviated camp. Columbus begins the regular season at home against Buffalo on Oct. 1. After narrowly missing the playoffs in the past two seasons, Fantilli views a postseason berth as essential. The Blue Jackets have not reached the playoffs since 2020. With reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski under contract for two more years, retaining Fantilli gives Columbus long-term stability at center as it seeks to turn its young core into a playoff team.
Analysis, not a wagering instruction. Confirm every number on the sportsbook. 21+.
