Blue Jackets Sign Adam Fantilli to Record-Breaking $82.5M Contract Extension

Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed center Adam Fantilli to a six-year, $82.5 million contract on Thursday morning. According to the Associated Press, the 21-year-old Canadian becomes the highest-paid player in franchise history with an average annual value of $13.75 million. Fantilli, a restricted free agent who missed the first week of training camp, is expected to report to the team immediately following a two-week wait at his home in Michigan.

General manager Don Waddell secured the six-year term after Fantilli finished last season second on the team with 24 goals and third in scoring with 59 points. The 2023 third-overall pick is one of only three players in Columbus history to record multiple 20-goal seasons before age 22. His new salary follows other major deals for 2023 draftees, including Connor Bedard’s $15 million average in Chicago and Leo Carlsson’s $18 million average in Anaheim.

Fantilli is projected to center the top line alongside Kirill Marchenko, who led the team with 27 goals last year, and offseason acquisition Valeri Nichushkin. The center aims to participate in the final preseason contest against Detroit this Saturday. Columbus officially begins the regular season at home against the Buffalo Sabres on October 1, seeking their first playoff appearance since 2020. Defenseman Zach Werenski, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, remains under contract for two additional seasons as the team attempts to end a two-year postseason drought.