Division Rival Could Offer Sheet Blue Jackets' Adam Fantilli
Per William James of Philly Hockey Now, the Flyers should consider returning to the offer-sheet route and revisiting Fantilli's availability, a reversal from where the conversation stood just weeks earlier.
Why This Seemed Closed
Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff had reported in July that Philadelphia was done for the summer after its blockbuster offer sheet to Leo Carlsson.
"They aren't offer-sheeting Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli," Di Marco wrote at the time, also ruling out speculation about defensemen Zach Werenski and Simon Edvinsson. Di Marco cited three reasons: the Flyers don't view Fantilli's production as being on Carlsson's level, GM Danny Briere doesn't want to burn bridges with other front offices by offer-sheeting multiple players in one summer, and Briere's son works as a video coach for the Blue Jackets.
Werenski said that Adam Fantilli just got back to Michigan last week.
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) August 13, 2026
"I'm sure he'll get signed and it'll get done. I wouldn't be too worried. I haven't had in-depth convos with him obviously. I ask him and he wants to be here and he's putting the work in." #CBJ
Why It's Back On The Table
What's changed is the state of Fantilli's own negotiations with Columbus.
Per Elliotte Friedman, Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain apart in talks, with Friedman suggesting the young center could be seeking a deal in the range of what Carlsson ($18 million AAV) and Connor Bedard ($15 million AAV) received as fellow members of the 2023 draft class.
Friedman estimated Columbus is closer to the $12 million to $12.5 million range.
Elliotte Friedman: Connor Bedard obviously had indicated he wasn't interested in an offer sheet, he signed for 15 [million], but I think what two negotiations that's affected are Cutter Gauthier and also Adam Fantilli - NHL Tonight (8/7)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 11, 2026
Pro Hockey Rumors published a fresh breakdown of the situation just hours ago, framing Fantilli's holdout as the third domino in a summer that's already seen his draft classmates lock up record-setting deals.
Fantilli was taken third overall in 2023, one spot behind Carlsson and two behind Bedard, and per Philly Hockey Now, if the gap between Fantilli and Columbus is as wide as Friedman suggests, that creates the kind of opening a team with cap space could exploit.
Philadelphia Could Actually Do It
The Flyers have financial flexibility, which is a big part of why the speculation keeps resurfacing despite Di Marco's earlier report.
Fantilli brings a 6-foot-2 frame, physicality, and offensive upside that fits what Philadelphia has coveted in recent additions, though his faceoff numbers remain inconsistent and his defensive game is still a work in progress.
An offer sheet compensation package for a player at Fantilli's cap-hit range would be steep, likely costing multiple first-round picks if Columbus declined to match. That price, combined with the relationship risk Di Marco flagged just weeks ago, makes this far from a certainty.
But with Fantilli and Columbus still stuck and training camp a little over a month away, the door Philadelphia seemingly closed in July appears to be cracking back open.
