"Adam Fantilli has all of the tools you look for in a player -- speed, size, skill -- along with a competitive drive to succeed,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL and a big part of what we are building in Columbus, so this is a very exciting day for our organization and our fans."
Waddell admitted at the start of the camp that negotiations were altered after the Philadelphia Flyers made an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, who was retained by signing a five-year, $90 million contract ($18 million AAV).
"I think the offer sheet definitely changed the marketplace a little bit, and we've recognized that," Waddell said Sept. 16. "From where we were early in the summer, to where we are now, we've come up quite a bit. So we recognize there has been a change in the landscape, but it's still a young player that obviously we're talking about long-term contracts.
"The term is always the question mark with all these young players trying to go short term and we'll see how that plays out."
Columbus (40-30-12) finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points last season, its most since 2018-19 (98), but failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season. Coach Rick Bowness said missing any time was critical because of the shortened camp schedule implemented this season, including four preseason games, compared to as many as eight previously, with the regular season expanded to 84 games.
Veterans with at least 100 games of NHL experience are limited to a maximum of two preseason games.
"It's out of my hands, unfortunately," Bowness said at the start of camp. "I will tell you that (Fantilli) called me last night and we had a great conversation. And listen, his heart's in the right place. He loves being here. He loves being a Blue Jacket. And as I told him last night, I'm not worried about him one bit. When he comes here mentally and physically, he'll be ready to go.
"He's a good kid. He's worked incredibly hard all summer. We had a great end of the year meeting. He wanted more responsibility. We're going to give it to him. There's no question about that. He's ready for it. So, is he disappointed that he's not here? Yeah, he is. But there's a business side of it that coaches don't get involved with, and I do know, again, I trust him. I believe in him and I know when he comes, he'll be ready to go."
The Blue Jackets play their season opener at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1.
NHL.com independent correspondent Craig Merz contributed to this report
