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Signed: Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets Agree To Six-Year Deal; Average Annual Value Is $13.75 Million

The holdout is over as Adam Fantilli and the Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed to a six-year deal worth a total of $82.5 million.

By Ed Francis · 1st Ohio Battery

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 10:30 PM

Key Things to Know

Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets with an AAV of $13.75 million.
The 21-year-old restricted free agent agreed to a permanent contract extension following weeks of negotiations.
Fantilli scored 24 goals and recorded 35 assists for 59 points in the 2025-26 NHL season.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed restricted free agent forward Adam Fantilli to a six-year, $82.5 million contract extension, carrying an average annual value of $13.75 million. The agreement ends weeks of contentious negotiations between the franchise and the 21-year-old center, who is coming off a 59-point campaign during the 2025-26 NHL season.

Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell noted that negotiations were impacted by a shifting marketplace following lucrative summer extensions for other young NHL stars. Fantilli is expected to return to the ice ahead of the regular-season opener on October 1 against the Buffalo Sabres.

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