Blue Jackets re-sign center Adam Fantilli to a 6-year, $82.5 million contract

Adam Fantilli had his bags packed by the door of his Michigan home for the past two weeks while he waited for a contract extension from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Fantilli finally got the call he was waiting for on Thursday morning telling him that it was time to drive down Interstate 75 and report to training camp, as the Blue Jackets signed their center to a six-year, $82.5-million contract.

The 21-year-old Canadian was a restricted free agent and missed the first week of training camp as the two sides worked on a deal. He becomes Columbus’ highest-paid player with a contract that averages $13.75 million per year.

“I started training in April and then to have the training camp start date come and go and not be there with the boys was disappointing,” Fantilli said. “The fans and teammates were great through this whole process. I’m here now, and I’m excited to get going for the season.”

Fantilli was the third overall pick by Columbus in the 2023 NHL draft after winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey at the University of Michigan.

He was second on the team with 24 goals and was third in scoring with 59 points last season. He is the third player in franchise history with multiple 20-goal campaigns before turning 22.

Chicago’s Connor Bedard and Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson — the top two picks in the 2023 draft — both signed five-year contracts. Bedard averages $15 million, while the Ducks matched an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers with an $18 million per season average.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell pushed for a six-year deal. Once that was agreed to, they worked on increasing the per-year average.

“I always felt we’re going to find common ground. There’s going to be some give and take on both sides, but I’ve said all along that this contract’s going to get done. I couldn’t tell you which day it was going to get done,” Waddell said.

Fantilli is expected to center Columbus’ top line with Kirill Marchenko and Valeri Nichushkin. Marchenko led the Blue Jackets with 27 goals while Nichushkin was acquired from Colorado during the offseason.

Despite missing most of training camp, Fantilli is hoping to play in Columbus’ final preseason game on Saturday at Detroit. The Blue Jackets open the season at home on Oct. 1 against Buffalo.

“I’m going into this season a lot more confident in my ability and our team and our work ethic,” he said. I’m just super excited to get back out there and to compete again. The last two seasons left a really sour taste in my mouth, missing out on the playoffs just barely. So it’s non-negotiable this year. We got to make it there. And once we’re there, we’ve got to try and make a splash.”

Defenseman and reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski has two years left on his contract as the Blue Jackets look to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

“We need to make the playoffs. We start making the playoffs, we stop talking about making the playoffs and how we’re going to win a (Stanley) Cup. And you’re only going to do that if you continue to be able to bring your young players along. So being able to get a player of Adam’s stature for at least six years is huge for this franchise, and we’re excited about it,” Waddell said.

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