Story Summary
Adam Fantilli, the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ restricted free agent forward, will not report to the team’s training camp without a new contract. The 21-year-old, who was due to centre the top line with Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko at the first practice, was absent when players underwent physicals. General manager Don Waddell described negotiations as amicable and said he is ” confident” a resolution will be found in the near future, while also acknowledging that recent market movement – highlighted by the Philadelphia Flyers‘ offer sheet to Leo Carlsson and the Ducks’ subsequent five-year, $90 million retention deal – has altered the landscape for young players’ contracts.
Key Facts
- Adam Fantilli will not be with the Columbus Blue Jackets when they open training camp and was absent for team physicals while he remains without a new contract.
- Fantilli had been scheduled to centre the top line with Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko at the first practice.
- Don Waddell said talks over a new contract have been amicable with Fantilli and his agent, Pat Brisson, but there has been no advancement since the weekend.
- Waddell said, “As of Friday, Saturday, we were still talking and I always say when you’re talking, you’ll eventually find a deal,”and added, “we’re going to send something probably in the next 24 hours back to him just to see…. we want to keep this thing moving.”
- Fantilli set an NHL career high last season with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games for the Blue Jackets.
- Across his NHL career Fantilli has 140 points (67 goals, 73 assists) in 213 regular-season games; he was the No. 3 pick by Columbus in the 2023 NHL Draft.
- Waddell said the offer sheet to Leo Carlsson changed the marketplace; Carlsson, the No. 2 pick in 2023, was retained by the Anaheim Ducks on a five-year, $90 million contract with an $18 million average annual value.
- Fantilli’s career totals are similar to Leo Carlsson’s 141 points (61 goals, 80 assists) in 201 NHL games; Connor Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million contract ($15 million AAV) on July 18.
- Coach Rick Bowness said Fantilli called him the night prior to Waddell’s update, that they had a good conversation, and that Bowness is ” not worried about him one bit” and trusts Fantilli will be ready when he arrives.
- Columbus finished last season 40-30-12 for 92 points, fifth in the Metropolitan Division, and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season.
- This season’s schedule changes cited by the club include a shortened camp with four pre-season games instead of as many as eight previously and an expanded regular season of 84 games; veterans with at least 100 NHL games are limited to a maximum of two pre-season games.
IHM Discussion
The Blue Jackets enter camp with a notable negotiation at its heart. Adam Fantilli’s absence from physicals and the first-practice plan is a concrete sign that a new contract has not been signed. Don Waddell’s public stance is conciliatory but candid: the parties are talking and he remains optimistic, while conceding that the market shift following the Leo Carlsson offer sheet has moved expectations upward.
From a roster-management perspective, the club faces questions of term and money. Waddell identified term as a recurring issue in long-term negotiations with young players and noted that the Carlsson episode has forced teams to reassess valuations. Talks with Fantilli and agent Pat Brisson have remained amicable, though there had been no movement since the weekend. Waddell said Columbus expected to send another proposal within 24 hours to keep discussions moving.
The on-ice context is clear. Fantilli produced a 59-point season (24 goals, 35 assists) and has 140 points in 213 NHL games; Columbus had envisaged him at centre on its top line to open camp. Rick Bowness said Fantilli called him, that they had a good conversation, and that he was not concerned about the forward’s readiness when he arrives. With a shortened camp, however, any missed time reduces the opportunity for on-ice preparation.
Why It Matters
Fantilli is among Columbus’ young core and was pencilled in for a prominent role to start the season. If contract talks delay his arrival, it will compress his available preparation time ahead of an expanded 84-game regular season and a reduced pre-season schedule. That matters for roster planning: the club had set its top line in advance while negotiating a long-term contract.
Waddell said the Carlsson offer sheet changed the marketplace and that Columbus had raised its position from earlier in the summer. That context helps explain why the negotiations remain active even as training camp begins.
IHM Market Outlook
Waddell said the Leo Carlsson offer sheet changed the marketplace and that Columbus had increased its position from earlier in the summer. Anaheim retained Carlsson on a five-year, $90 million contract with an $18 million AAV. Fantilli’s career totals are similar to Carlsson’s, while Connor Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million contract with a $15 million AAV.
Waddell also identified term as a key question in long-term negotiations with young players. The immediate focus for Columbus is whether its next proposal can bring Fantilli’s camp closer to an agreement.
Mini Q&A
Why is Adam Fantilli not at Blue Jackets camp?
The Blue Jackets say Fantilli will not be at training camp without a new contract; he was absent for team physicals as talks with the club and his agent continue.
Are the contract talks hostile?
No. Don Waddell described the talks as amicable with Fantilli and his agent, Pat Brisson, but said there has been no advancement since the weekend.
How productive was Fantilli last season?
Fantilli set an NHL career high with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season and has 140 points (67 goals, 73 assists) in 213 NHL regular-season games overall.
Has the market changed because of other signings?
Waddell said the Leo Carlsson offer sheet changed the marketplace; the Ducks retained Carlsson on a five-year, $90 million contract (an $18 million AAV), and Connor Bedard previously signed five years for $75 million ($15 million AAV).
What did coach Rick Bowness say?
Bowness said Fantilli called him and they had a good conversation; he said he trusts Fantilli and is ” not worried about him one bit,” adding that when Fantilli arrives mentally and physically he will be ready.
What timeline did the club give for talks?
Waddell said the Blue Jackets would ” send something probably in the next 24 hours” to Fantilli’s camp to keep negotiations moving.
Coach Mark Comment
A shortened camp leaves less time to build timing with new linemates, but a fit player can still be integrated quickly. Columbus will want Fantilli taking regular reps with Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko as soon as he arrives, particularly at five-on-five.
What Comes Next
Waddell said the Blue Jackets expected to send another proposal to Fantilli’s camp within 24 hours to keep negotiations moving. – Columbus will open training camp as scheduled without Fantilli while he remains unsigned.
IHM Final View
The Blue Jackets have described discussions as cordial, and Waddell has signalled an intent to continue bargaining in the immediate term. The Carlsson offer-sheet episode has changed the market, and Columbus acknowledges that it has adjusted its position. The key question is whether the next exchange can produce an agreement before Fantilli misses further camp time.