Reports: Fantilli Talks Get Closer, Term The Main Issue

The Columbus Blue Jackets kick off their season in one week, but still no contract agreement and no sign of restricted free agent Adam Fantilli as they enter the second week of training camp. But we could be getting closer.

Blue Jackets insider Aaron Portzline appeared on Oilers Now and reported that the holdup of late seems to be more focused on term. 

The Blue Jackets have tried to get longer term, and with longer term, from Fantilli's camp's perspective, you're saying, 'If I'm giving up yet another year of UFA, five years gives up one, six years gives up two, then the (AAV) number needs to go up, up, because the salary cap's going up astronomically.'

So I think it's the moving parts of this that they're trying to find: 'If this is the number you need per year, what is the term? And why can't you live with this term, so maybe let's look at the numbers now and change that number.'

But the latest report, on Thursday, from Chris Johnston on his podcast, is that "I believe Columbus has brought an offer to the table above $13M (AAV)...The term might still be a bit of a haggling point.

"But it feels as though the momentum has shifted to Fantilli getting a deal done... He is getting a little closer to getting on a flight to Columbus and rejoining his Blue Jackets teammates here in the next day or two.''

Portzline adds that things have remained very "professional", and it hasn't "blown up" as some other high-profile contract negotiations have in Columbus in the past. 

If Columbus intends to have their No. 1 center in the lineup for opening night next Thursday, they've got to get him in camp and up to speed.