The Columbus Blue Jacketslocked down their top young center, Adam Fantilli, longterm.
Columbus announced Thursday that they signed Fantilli to a six-year contract extension worth $82.5 million ($13.75 million AAV).
Before inking the new deal, Fantilli, 21, had not been with the Blue Jackets at their training camp as negotiations continued. He is now far and away the highest-paid player on Columbus’ roster, surpassing defenseman Zach Werenski‘s $9.5 million salary.
He immediately becomes the NHL’s fifth-highest-paid player this season.
Highest NHL AAVs in 2026-27
| Rank | Player | Team | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Carlsson | Anaheim Ducks | $18 million |
| 2 | Kirill Kaprizov | Minnesota Wild | $17 million |
| 3 | Connor Bedard | Chicago Blackhawks | $15 million |
| 4 | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | $14 million |
| 5 | Adam Fantilli | Columbus Blue Jackets | $13.75 million |
| 6 | Jack Eichel | Vegas Golden Knights | $13.5 million |
| 7 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | $13.25 million |
| 8 | Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | $12.6 million |
| 9 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | $12.5 million |
| T-10 | Mitch Marner | Vegas Golden Knights | $12 million |
| T-10 | Mikko Rantanen | Dallas Stars | $12 million |
Fantilli’s deal runs through the 2031-32 campaign, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent at 27.
The former third-overall draft pick recorded a career-high 59 points (24g, 35a) in 82 games for the Blue Jackets this past season. He finished third on the team in scoring, behind Werenski (81) and Kirill Marchenko (67).
“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 in a press release. “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. “
Overall, Fantilli has recorded 140 points (67g, 73a) in 213 career games with Columbus since making his NHL debut during the 2023-24 season. Only Fantilli, Rick Nash, and Pierre-Luc Dubois have recorded multiple 20-plus-goal campaigns before turning 22 for the Blue Jackets.
