Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell provided an encouraging update on the status of contract extension negotiations with impending RFA Adam Fantilli.
Waddell sat down with James Murphy of RG Media for an interview published on August 28. In the conversation, Waddell addressed Fantilli’s contract situation. He stated:
“We're going to talk here in the next couple of weeks. Pat Brisson is his agent, and we're going to do some face-to-face meetings. When these kinds of players are up and these kinds of deals need to be made, I think you need to be in front of each other. I think you make a lot more progress than just over the phone. So that’s always been my theory, and Pat's the same way.”
The comments underscore the amicable nature between Waddell and Fantilli’s agent. That situation bodes well as the former third-overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft will be entering the final year of his entry-level deal.
As such, the Blue Jackets will be looking to lock him up sooner rather than later. The 20-year-old has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1. While that hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t mean it won’t.
Waddell added:
“I've done a lot of deals over the years with Pat, so we'll be fine and sit down face-to-face and get this done. As we get closer to training camp, I think we’ll be much further ahead, and we have some dates already planned that we'll meet, so let’s go from there.”
Ideally, the Blue Jackets will have locked up Fantilli for the foreseeable future before training camp. As for the specific terms of Fantilli’s extension, that seems to be a question mark at the moment.
The Marco Rossi extension in Minnesota could be an indicator of a deal that fans could expect to see Fantilli sign this season.
Waddell praised Fantilli’s breakout season with Columbus Blue Jackets
Waddell sang Fantilli’s praises for his stellar performance this past season. Fantilli broke the 30-goal mark in his second pro season, shattering his totals from the previous year.
That situation prompted Waddell to state:
“I think taking the pressure off him as the 1C, we had Sean Monahan who played that role, and so Adam could fit right in that 2C role really easily, and it took the weight off his shoulders, being the only guy there.”
While the plan is for Fantilli to eventually become the team’s number-one center, it doesn’t have to be this season. As long as Monahan continues to perform at his current level, the Blue Jackets can afford to be patient with Fantilli.
Waddell added:
“We scored a lot of goals last year, which was helpful, but what I really saw it is through the whole season. I just saw him getting better and better. Then, unfortunately, we lost Sean for six weeks to his wrist injury, and Adam stepped right into that role.” Waddell continued, “I think if he had just started in that role, I don't know if it would have gone as well for him. So, I think having that opportunity to watch Sean be there and him in that 2C provided him the opportunity to, when he got the chance, jump right into that 1C role and never miss a beat.”
Don Waddell is optimistic about the Blue Jackets’ chance of competing for a playoff spot this upcoming season. Despite the Metro Division being a tough group, the Blue Jackets could be in a solid position to challenge for a playoff spot after falling short last season.