Should we expect an Adam Fantilli new contract next month?
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic joined NHL Network with Jamison Coyle, Mike Rupp, and EJ Hradek. He was asked about Adam Fantilli and when he will sign a new contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: What Will Adam Fantilli Make on His Next Deal in Columbus?
Jamison Coyle: “Adam Fantilli. You take a look at his numbers from a year ago: 24 goals, 35 helpers, and 13 points on the power play. The former third overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets is in need of a new contract. That’s where Aaron Portzline of The Athletic comes in to talk about that. He’s not going to sign the deal or do the deal, but he’s going to talk to us about where the situation. Aaron, where do we stand on the Adam Fantilli’s contract situation? How close are those two sides to getting something done?”
Aaron Portzline: “Well, if I could get it done, I would have had it done weeks ago. It’s not my money. It would have been easy. You know what? It’s kind of, it’s kind of quieted down, best I can tell, and this is where it is. I think you guys alluded to it with (Cutter) Gautier in the last segment. Deadlines make deals, and right now we’re past that July 1st window when, of course, they become RFAs.
We’re kind of past, it’s not a hard deadline by any means, but if you would assume that if Fantilli was going to get an offer sheet or sign an offer sheet, it would have happened by now. So there’s little urgency there with the club. I don’t think there’s much fear of that right now. And so what’s really compelling either side to move closer to whatever the middle may be.
Cutter Gauthier and Adam Fantilli are Waiting to be Paid
Listen, I think when the offer sheet that (Leo) Carlsson was signed, I think everybody feared a major reset of the market for these guys, and Fantilli included, Bedard of course, and then Bedard signs for less than Carlsson, and I think certainly GM’s didn’t think that the offer sheet reset the market, they were pointing out that’s an exception because it is an offer sheet, but Bedard kind of brings it back to 15, and now I think if you’re Fantilli, you’ve got a a better idea of where you’re going to fall.
But they haven’t found it yet. Listen, Don Waddell does not mind dragging this out. He is a patient, patient person, as we have seen in previous contracts. So I assume I don’t sense any acrimony at all. I don’t sense an offer sheet is coming. My sense is that something gets done in advance of training camp, but certainly now, with training camp closing in, it may compel both sides to get something done quicker.”
NHLRumors.com Note: Two of the top three picks of the 2023 NHL Draft class have signed contracts already. Leo Carlsson got an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers that the Anaheim Ducks had to match. Soon after, Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks signed his extension. Now all eyes are on Adam Fantilli. Most expect this deal to get done once training camp starts, since they don’t want to risk Fantilli missing camp.
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