We could see some records broken
On July 23rd I joined a podcast called B&B’s Roundtable and had a group discussion about various topics centered around the CBJ. One of the questions asked was “Is Adam Fantilli going to break Kirill Marchenko’s rookie goal record?", set last season at 21. There were six people who answered the question Yes, he would break it. And then there was me answering No. Let me explain myself.
Three times since 2017, a rookie Blue Jacket had scored over 40 points. The record was originally set by Rick Nash in 2002 with 39 points. Nash had 17 goals and 22 assists. And then in 2016-17 defenseman Zach Werenski broke the record by scoring 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points. The CBJ haven’t had good luck with rookies in their existence. The 36 assists by Werenski is a rookie record that still stands.
2017-18 saw rookie center Pierre-Luc Dubois come in and score 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points. He broke the rookie goal record and rookie points record at the same time. Many fans will point out that playing with the likes of Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson, that number should’ve been much higher. Last season Kent Johnson didn’t break any records, but he would score 40 points and move into 3rd all-time.
The original question was “Will Adam Fantilli break Marchenko’s rookie goal record”? The CBJ have never had a true #1 center, the closest being the aforementioned Dubois. Fantilli has a chance to come in and do some things very few have done in a CBJ jersey while a rookie. And while I don’t think he’ll start on the top line, most likely the second line, it could be only a matter of weeks into the season before we see him promoted. If he spends any significant time further down than 2nd, kiss all those records goodbye.
My prediction is that Adam Fantilli does in fact break a few records as a rookie, but goals won’t be one of them, especially if he plays on the 3rd line. Adam Fantilli will break both the assist record held by Zach Werenski, and the points record held by Dubois. Adam Fantilli is a puck moving playmaker who will want to find his scorers every chance he gets. He could possibly center wingers such as Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, Kent Johnson, and Kirill Marchenko, all of which are elite scorers. He will be looking to set those guys up a lot, and that is why I think he shatters the assists record held by Werenski and the points record held by Dubois. Centering scorers like Gaudreau and Laine are a young players dream.
My prediction is that he will have a scoring line of 12-48-60. Adam Fantilli will have a strong case for Calder consideration and cement himself as the top center for this franchise by the end of December.
Training camp can’t come soon enough.