Blue Jackets Should Prioritize Signing Adam Fantilli

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a big decision to make when it comes to Adam Fantilli’s next contract. Ideally, they’d want to lock him up long-term—but there’s always a chance he goes the Auston Matthews route and signs a shorter deal to maximize his earnings.

General manager Don Waddell can start extension talks at any time. And with Fantilli still a pending restricted free agent, there’s no immediate pressure. But with the cap expected to rise again, there’s always the outside risk of an offer sheet, especially on a player as talented as Fantilli.

That’s why Waddell should get ahead of it and start working toward a deal before or during the season. Fantilli will almost certainly become the team’s highest-paid forward, which likely puts his number in the $7 million-plus range. If it’s a max-term deal, that AAV could climb north of $8 million over eight years.

Fantilli is going to be the Blue Jackets’ top forward for a long time. Signing him to a long-term deal should be at the top of their list. The good news? He wanted to be drafted by Columbus and still seems happy to be part of the organization.