Sometimes an organization is gifted a present that was unexpected. For the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer they got an unexpected gift when Adam Fantilli fell to them at No. 3 overall. Drafted as the top-line center the organization had needed for a very long time, Fantilli had made an impact for the Blue Jackets and is the team's best player and it has not been close. Considered a generational talent, Fantilli has been playing on the Blue Jackets top line in Boone Jenner’s absence.
7-16-13 Those are the numbers Adam Fantilli posted in December. Connor Bedard was named Rookie Of The Month for December posting 5-10-15, as you can see Fantilli had as good or slightly better numbers than the Chicago Blackhawks rookie.
Before the season started many projected to end the season at 30-30-50 which is in sight as the young center is heating up. It is becoming more clear by the game, that Fantilli is getting more comfortable in the NHL. Fantilli who is just 19 years old is a young player on a young team. They are growing together and starting to play with more consistency. The timing is more than just coincidental, Blue Jackets captain, Boone Jenner broke his jaw and was placed on IR. Fantilli was moved to the top line and has performed like a top-line center not looking like a rookie.
Speed, fearlessness, grit, this is what Fantilli brings to the Blue Jackets and he has since day one. Back in training camp, he stood out. He brings the puck through the zone with ease and chases it down. Fantilli more than holds his own defensively as he is proud of his work on that end of the ice.
This is truly the player Columbus has been lacking for years. There will need to be a decision made when Jenner is ready to come off IR. Place Jenner back on the top line or go with a rookie who is going to end up there permanently anyway. The smarter move would be to let Fantilli stay on the top line, succeed, fail, and learn while playing top-line minutes. As noted he is and has been the best Blue Jacket on ice nearly every game.
