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Sophomore Slump? How About A Bump - Jul. 1, 2024 – Vol. 77, Issue 14 - Michael Traikos
ON MAY 3, NEARLY four months after his calf was lacerated by a skate blade, Adam Fantilli finally got some good news when he was officially named to Canada’s roster for the World Championship. A week later, however, after flying from Columbus to Czechia, he was dropped from the team to make room for some last-minute additions from NHL teams.
For the 19-year-old, it was nothing new.
Though Fantilli was the No. 3 overall pick in 2023, the highly touted center spent most of the season watching from either the bench or the press box as the Blue Jackets leaned on more experienced players. Call it a learning experience, if you want. But for Fantilli, it has made him even hungrier for what he hopes is a breakout year next season. “I definitely want to come out of the gates flying next year and get off to a great start,” he said. “I know what everyone says about the sophomore slump, so I’m trying not to go through that. I also know in the back of my mind that because I’m a year older doesn’t mean I’ll be one year better. It’s up to me to take that next step.”
Sophomore slump? It’s difficult to have one of those when you miss nearly half of your rookie season. “I only played 49 games this year,” Fantilli said. “I have to get my game going. That’s my concern.”
I DEFINITELY WANT TO COME OUT OF THE GATES FLYING NEXT YEAR AND GET OFF TO A GREAT START– ADAM FANTILLI
Not only did Fantilli have his season end early, but it was plagued by off-ice issues beyond his control. The Blue Jackets fired their coach before the season began, then parted ways with their GM and had star winger Patrik Laine take a personal leave of absence. “There was a lot going on,” Fantilli said.
Despite the distractions, he did his best to remain positive. “I was really happy with how much I was able to learn and how much I was able to play,” he said. “It was an eye-opening experience. There’s stuff you can’t teach yourself. It helped me get better as a player.”
Even when was in the lineup, Fantilli spent most of the season stapled to the bench. Looking back, it was a curious move. It’s not like Columbus was competing for a playoff spot. The Blue Jackets, who were at one time considered a dark-horse team, ended up with the worst record in the East. Only San Jose and Chicago had fewer wins.
And yet, you wouldn’t know it based on the lineup decisions made by coach Pascal Vincent.
Fantilli averaged just 15:43 in ice time. That was four minutes less than what No. 1 pick Connor Bedard received in Chicago. That might explain why Fantilli, who finished with 34 fewer points than the rookie scoring leader, had only 12 goals and 27 points. Things only got worse on Jan. 28, when Fantilli went to deliver a hit on Seattle’s Jared McCann and ended up getting sliced by his skate blade. “I just went to finish my check,” Fantilli said. “It was a pretty routine play. I was feeling a lot better and playing my game and not worrying too much. I was gaining some confidence. And then, this happens.”
WE DEFINITELY HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF YOUNG GUYS. THERE’S SUCH A BRIGHT FUTURE IN COLUMBUS– ADAM FANTILLI
There was nothing routine about the injury – or the recovery time. Initially, Fantilli was supposed to be out for a couple of months. But the injury dragged on and on, and he didn’t make it back in time to finish the season. “It wasn’t painful,” he said. “My foot just wasn’t working like it should have been. It was difficult because it’s different than a tear. It takes a lot of time. Maybe we misread it and it took longer than it should have.”
The hope was Fantilli would get to test out the injury at the World Championship, where he won a gold medal the previous year. But like his NHL season, things didn’t go as planned.
Either way, with former Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell now hired as the Blue Jackets GM and a new coach also coming, there is once again optimism in Columbus. It’s unclear whether the Blue Jackets will be able to make the jump and contend for a playoff spot. But Fantilli, who briefly played with Johnny Gaudreau, would like a shot at becoming the top-line center. If he accomplishes that, a big bump in production will surely be in the offing. “Playing with Johnny is so much fun,” Fantilli said. “We definitely have a great group of young guys. There’s such a bright future in Columbus. There’s so many guys around the same age as me, just waiting to take that next step.
“Hopefully, I will have a breakout season. That’s my goal. That’s what I’m working towards.”
