32 Teams, 32 Players: Adam Fantilli

The Columbus Blue Jackets are no strangers to high draft picks, but they have not always had the best luck in getting them to be superstars.

Now that the 2024-25 NHL season has arrived we are going to highlight one player on each team that stands out for the season. What kind of player? Well, a player that could make a difference, be an X-factor, be on the verge of a breakout, or just simply be a player under the microscope and needing to have a big season.

Basically — which player do I think is the most fascinating on each team.

We are not going in any particularly order and continue today with Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets

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It has been four years since the Columbus Blue Jackets have made the playoffs and early indications suggest that streak is going to extend to a fifth season. Despite the recent struggles, and despite the often times haphazard team-building philosophy of former general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, there is at least some reason for optimism here when it comes to the long-term outlook of the franchise.

The Blue Jackets farm system — and NHL roster — is full of young talent, and they hopefully have a general manager in Don Waddell that can bring it along, develop it and complement with a good team.

Arguably the most important player in that young group is forward Adam Fantilli, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Given all of the losing in recent years the Blue Jackets have collected several top-10 picks, including Fantilli, Cayden Lindstrom (No. 4 overall in 2023), David Jiricek (No. 6 overall in 2022) and Kent Johnson (No. 5 in 2021) to help strengthen the system.

Fantilli is the focal point here because out of that group he is not only the one guy that is actually consistently playing in the NHL right now, he also might have the most upside.

Lindstrom is not yet in the NHL, Johnson has had some early inconsistencies and growing paints (he is also injured at the moment), whlie Jiricek can not seem to consistently get on the ice or in the lineup.

Fantilli has played in all 15 games this season entering play on Friday, and out of that group is the one that has the best chance and highest probability of becoming a cornerstone, All-Star level player for the next 10-15 years.

The Blue Jackets need that. Not only because every contending team and every successful rebuild needs at least one (and usually two) of those high draft picks to turn into a star, but also because they have not really hit a major home run like that at the top of the draft.

Let’s talk about it.