The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed restricted free agent forward Adam Fantilli to a six-year, $82.5 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $13.75 million, the team announced on Thursday.
Fantilli, 21, recorded 24 goals and 59 points in 82 games last season for the Blue Jackets.
The 6-foot-2 centre is coming off his three-year, entry-level contract. He has not appeared at the Blue Jackets’ training camp or pre-season games while his new contract was being negotiated.
Drafted third overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 draft, Fantilli has 67 goals and 140 points in 213 career games.
Prior to his NHL career, Fantilli played one season with the University of Michigan, recording 30 goals and 65 points to win the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award in 2023.
The Nobleton, Ont., native represented Canada at the World Hockey Championship twice, winning gold in 2023. He also represented his country at the 2023 World Juniors, winning gold.
