With just a week remaining before the NHL season begins, the Columbus Blue Jackets have yet to reach a deal with restricted free agent Adam Fantilli.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Wadell told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on Tuesday that he spoke to Fantilli’s agent as recently as Monday and feels progress is being made. No deal, however, has been reached between the two sides.
Waddell had previously expressed optimism in late August that Fantilli would be signed in time for training camp, which opened last week.
“No, not at all,” Waddell told Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch when asked if he was concerned Fantilli would remain unsigned. “We’re in communication. There’s a little difference of opinion right now, which is normal, and I’m confident that we’ll have him done before training camp.”
Fantilli recorded 24 goals and 59 points in 82 games last season. It is possible that contract asks have adjusted to the market this summer as young stars around the league have cashed in.
Fellow restricted free agent Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks signed a five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers in early July that will see him carry a league-high average annual value of $18 million this season.
San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini inked a five-year, $94 million extension just weeks later that will see him carry a cap hit of $18.8 million when it kicks in next July. In the middle, Chicago Blackhawks restricted free agent Connor Bedard signed a five-year deal at a $15 million cap hit.
Most recently, Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier signed a six-year deal at a $13.5 million cap hit last week in time to join his team for training camp.
The Blue Jackets have $11.7 million in cap space to work with, per CapFriendly, as the team works to find a deal with Fantilli. The team’s off-season has been highlighted by the addition of Valeri Nichushkin in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche and inking new deals with goaltender Jet Greaves and forward Cole Sillinger.
Columbus could potentially see an additional $5.4 million in cap space if Elvis Merzlikins is placed on long-term injured reserve. The goaltender continues to be without a timeline after undergoing shoulder surgery this summer.
Drafted third overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 draft, Fantilli has 67 goals and 140 points in 213 career games. The 6-foot-2 centre is coming off his three-year, entry-level contract.
Prior to his NHL career, Fantilli played one season with the University of Michigan, recording 30 goals and 65 points to win the Hobey Baker Award in 2023.
