Latest On Adam Fantilli Revealed, Days Ahead Of Blue Jackets Training Camp

Saturday, September 12, 2026
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The Columbus Blue Jackets are in a tough spot. As noted last week by Elliotte Friedman, the price tag for top restricted free agent Adam Fantilli has undergone a major shift over the last couple of months. The Jackets were ready to do business with a "Before Carlsson" price, but are now looking at an "After Carlsson" price. 

Of course, he's referring to the bombshell $18M AAV offer sheet that Leo Carlsson signed for with the Philadelphia Flyers (and was matched by the Anaheim Ducks). 

So instead of about a $12M AAV, Fantilli's camp is now looking at something, likely, closer to the $15M AAV that Connor Bedard signed for with the Chicago Blackhawks, shortly after the Carlsson deal. 

The Blue Jackets have $12.6M in cap space available, which doesn't sound like it'll be enough to sign their top-line center. 

And we learned earlier this week, Fantilli did not show up for the Blue Jackets' annual pre-camp golf tournament at the team owner's posh Double Eagle golf course.  

Now, as reported by Jackets insider Aaron Portzline, there has been no progress towards an agreement, just four days away from the opening of camp. 

No progress towards Fantilli signing, per report, just days ahead of camp 

"Does not sound as if there’s been much progress, if any, in recent contract talks between (the team) and top center Adam Fantilli. (Players) report for training camp on Wednesday, with on-ice practices set to start Thursday."

This is not a picture that Blue Jackets fans will be posting on their IG feeds, as it's an incomplete snapshot of the team, sans Fantilli. 

The #3 selection in the 2023 NHL Draft posted 24 goals and 59 points in his third NHL season last year, playing a career-high 18:54 per game, and handing out a personal high 139 hits. 

 

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