Adam Fantilli signs six-year, $82.5 million extension with Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Adam Fantilli to a six-year contract extension worth $82.5 million. The deal, which carries an annual average value of $13.75 million, makes the 21-year-old the highest-paid player on the roster.

Fantilli, the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and a former Hobey Baker Award winner, had been a restricted free agent, causing him to miss the first week of training camp. The negotiation process was influenced by shifting market valuations for young centers following high-profile contracts for players like Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell praised Fantilli’s speed, skill, and competitive drive, noting his importance to the franchise’s future. The signing follows a strong previous season where Fantilli recorded 31 goals and 54 points in 82 games.