In a season full of records for the Columbus Blue Jackets, another rare feat was achieved last night when Adam Fantilli scored his 30th goal of the season. His marker gave the team something it's only had one other time in franchise history.
The big third period goal from Adam gave the Jackets some insurance, making the game 3-0 over the Flyers. But it also gives the team its second 30 goal scorer, with "Mo" joining Kirill Marchenko, who achieved the feat two weeks ago.
Fantilli's 30 goal season is the 17th such occurrence in franchise history. The only other time the team had two guys score 30 or more goals, was the 2015-16 season. That year, Brandon Saad (31) and Boone Jenner (30) each reached the mark. Adam also becomes the second youngest Blue Jacket to ever reach the mark, behind the only guy whose jersey hangs in the rafters at Nationwide Arena.
3-0 THANKS TO MO'S 30TH OF THE SZN! 💥@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/3Tf9q7dfYi
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 16, 2025
The long awaited #1 center has arrived.
Since coming into the league 25 years ago, the Jackets have never really had a true top line center. At least, not for any meaningful stretches of time. Honestly, the best center to ever suit up in the Union Blue, was a guy who never wanted to play here in the first place. He wasn't even here for a full season.
Hopefully, this one is here to stay. After being drafted third overall by the Blue Jackets at the 2023 NHL Draft, Adam Fantilli was shown on camera saying that Columbus would be his first choice. A really tough rookie season that ended way too soon thanks to a brutal injury, pushed his development back a little bit. But, I think it's fair to say that the guy the Jackets took third overall has found his way in the NHL.
With his goal last night, Adam now has 23 in his last 42 games. This would be a roughly 45 goal pace over a full season. Since the midway point of the season, he's producing at a level that would put him inside the top-10 in the entire NHL. He's a huge part of the reason this team is still scrapping for a playoff spot.
And, he's doing it in hockey's toughest position. Developing at center is hard. Doing it in the NHL - as a teenager - is even harder. The Blue Jackets deserve a ton of credit for helping him get to this level, but ultimately, it's on the player. Maybe the best traits we've seen from Fantilli are his work ethic and willingness to learn. These traits - along with Don Waddell bringing in the proper veterans to surround him - have helped him find his way in this league.
Fantilli and Marchenko are just getting started.
The payoff here is going to be well worth the wait, in my opinion. Bottoming out was hard, but this is what it takes to get elite talent. Unlike in 2013, when the team came desperately close to making the playoffs before missing out; or in 2016, when the team worked harder under a strict new head coach - this is team is set up for sustainable success for the next several years.
Fantilli and Marchenko both reached the 30 goal plateau this year, without being power-play merchants. In fact, each of them only scored twice with the extra man this year. Adam also added a shorthanded tally; but otherwise, they've combined for 56 even strength goals. This does beg one question: how good would they be with a more competent power-play? 40+ goals seems well within reach for each of them.
The Jackets can build a Stanley Cup contender around these two. Marchenko is just entering his prime at 24 years old. Fantilli is only 20. Whether they make the playoffs this year or not, there is a lot to love about the direction of this franchise. They are only getting started.