Adam Fantilli Contract Ask Takes A Hit After Recent Development

Adam Fantilli is still not at Columbus Blue Jackets' training camp, as the restricted free agent is without a contract, and the two sides are still battling over what his value should be on a new deal. 

Certainly, as has been noted, there was a "Before Carlsson" price earlier in the summer — i.e. before the $18M AAV offer sheet for Leo Carlsson — and a much higher "After Carlsson" price. Another potential comp includes the $15M AAV that Connor Bedard signed for on his new deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

However, the latest big-money extension could have delivered a hit to the Fantilli asking price. Anaheim Ducks' sniper Cutter Gauthier accepted a $13.5M AAV on a six-year deal this past week. Elliotte Friedman explained on his 32 Thoughts podcast Monday morning:  

A couple of teams said to me the overall number probably helps Columbus more than it helps Fantilli... I think overall, people would think Columbus would look at Fantilli and say, 'Hey, if Gauthier is $13.5M, that should be above Fantilli.' 

Indeed, the stats say that Gauthier is ahead of Fantilli right now in their development, after a 41-goal, 69-point season for the Ducks' 22-year-old forward. The Blue Jackets' 21-year-old centerman had 24 goals and 59 points last year. 

On the other hand, said The Friedge, "The Fantilli camp is probably using all the pressure that Columbus is feeling to get the best deal that they can... There's been some movement, but obviously they're not there."

Fellow insider Darren Dreger echoed that thought on First Up, and does feel a deal will get done at some point. 

"I don't know the exact term & the AAV that it would take for Fantilli to go: 'Well, that's enough.'... (But) I don't get the sense that there's any sort of deep-rooted animosity here between the player, the agent, and the club."