The 18-year-old will have a lot of pressure on him
Predictions are hot and heavy this time of year around sports, and it’s no different in 2023, we even took a shot at league-wide predictions here.
Around Columbus, there’s one topic that is constantly talked about: Adam Fantilli. Fantilli isn’t just a popular topic in Columbus however, he’s being talked about across the league.
The Hockey News conducted a preseason poll with 34 THN staff who shared their votes before the 2023-24 season. The Blue Jackets had a couple of players crack the poll.
Adam Fantilli took 23 of 34 votes (68%) for the “Rookie people are most excited to see other than Connor Bedard” question. Of course, I voted for him.
Adam Fantilli comes into Columbus as the center they’ve never had. For 23 years this franchise has been snake-bitten when it comes to the draft lottery, but this year, even though the trend continued with them falling in the draft, the Anaheim Ducks did them a huge favor by taking Leo Carlsson at #2.
Fantilli will turn 19 on opening night and will be expected to contribute right away for this team. From what we’ve seen in the rookie development camp and the Traverse Prospects Tournament, people can hardly wait to watch him take the ice. He’s already showing that he can be a leader on the ice, from sticking around and picking up pucks after practice, to being vocal on the ice and telling teammates where they should or shouldn’t be, he seems to have “it”.
So, Columbus Blue Jackets fans, it’s not just people in Columbus that are excited to watch him play, people around the league are excited as well. That’s a huge change for the Blue Jackets.
Another question that was asked was “What backup goalie could end up as the No. 1?” CBJ goalie Daniil Tarasov received 3 votes, including one from yours truly, finishing 3rd in the poll.
Elvis Merzlikins didn’t have a good year last year, that’s no secret, and he needs to have a better one this year, also no secret, but if he doesn’t, Tarasov must be ready to jump in and take the helm. Tarasov is a more than capable goalie, and very well could be a #1 goalie soon. If he can stay healthy, which has been a problem thus far, he can take over and not look back. So yes, Daniil Tarasov may take over as the top goalie this season as the poll says.
The final question that garnered votes for the CBJ will be a quick one, “What coach is likely to be the first fired?” Let’s move on, shall we?
Regardless of the drama from the last couple of weeks, it’s a very exciting time for the franchise, and fans from both inside and outside of Columbus want to see it unfold.
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