Blue Jackets’ Adam Fantilli is latest young player to cash in thanks to rising cap

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract on Thursday ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. The 21-year-old was one of three remaining unsigned restricted free agents this preseason. The agreement carries an average annual salary-cap hit of $13.75 million, which ranks him as the fifth-highest-paid player in the NHL by average yearly salary this season.

The contract buys out two potential unrestricted free agency years and reflects a rising salary-cap market. Young players have secured significant deals this summer, including Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson's five-year, $18 million per year contract and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini's five-year extension worth $18.8 million per season.