Adam Fantilli is set for a big sophomore season with the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets landed Adam Fantilli with the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Everybody thought he was going to go second to the Anaheim Ducks behind Connor Bedard who went to the Chicago Blackhawks but they took Leo Carlsson instead. 

Both of them are outstanding players and should be elite in the NHL one day. The Michigan kid found his way to Columbus and made an impact right away. Some injuries impacted his game and he was misused by a coaching staff who shouldn’t have even been there in the first place. 

Through it all, his rookie year ended with 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 49 games played. He finished in 13th place in the Calder Trophy voting. Over a full 82, those numbers would have looked great. 

The kid has talent. He is an outstanding two-way player who can bring it in all three zones. He will be their number-one center for a long time. Think of a guy like Aleksander Barkov or Nico Hischier, Fantilli might be able to reach that level. 

Adam Fantilli is headed down the path of a big-time NHL center

Now, without the cloud of being a rookie over his head, Fantilli can step into his sophomore season looking to take big steps. He plays for an organization that needs a big-time star and he has the talent to do so. 

He can take over as the number one center. Dean Evason has been a great mentor of young players in his NHL coaching career and one of his biggest assignments will be to get Fantilli going. This kid deserves all of the ice time he can get. 

There is also a good chance that Fantilli will have better linemates regularly. There is no reason that this kid can’t play with Johnny Gaudreau on the top line. An opportunity like that would be just what he needs to take that next step in his development. 

Columbus would love to avoid being a bottom-feeder this season. They won’t be a playoff team but a great year from their top guys could make them very respectable. Fantilli is right in the middle of that.