3. Adam Fantilli
Adam Fantilli was one of the most anticipated prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft and has already made an impact on the Blue Jackets. Fantilli won the Hobey Baker Award with Michigan University for the 22-23 season after tallying 65 points in 36 games. This award is given to the best college hockey player of that year, and the Blue Jackets were able to snag him with the third overall pick of the draft.
Fantilli’s rookie season was among the most highly anticipated in the entire league, and early returns on his draft position looked good for Columbus. He put up 27 points in 49 games before suffering from a lacerated calf that sidelined him for the rest of the season. While he didn’t light the NHL on fire, Fantilli had consistent offensive production while holding up well in the defensive zone.
Fantilli played his first full season last year and improved offensively, netting 31 goals, which tied him for first on the team with Kirill Marchenko while scoring 54 points. Although he mostly played on the second line, Fantilli had to step up to the top offensive line when Sean Monahan injured his wrist and missed time early in 2025.
During the months of January through March, in which Fantilli played on the first line, he played 34 games and totaled 15 goals and 29 points. He greatly exceeded expectations and stepped up in this role, showing flashes of what Blue Jackets fans saw during his Hobey Baker season.
Fantilli is expected to remain to the second line this year with Sean Monahan fully healthy, but he still has a great opportunity to shine. He will look to carry over a very strong back half of last season and challenge Monahan for 1C minutes.
If Fantilli can bring a strong playmaking ability and passing attack into his game to keep opponents off-balance with the combination of his shot, he could look to join Marchenko and star defenseman Zach Werenski as one of the top three point producers on the Jackets this year.