Adam Fantilli's contract demands send shockwaves through the NHL

Adam Fantilli's next contract just became the loudest story around the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Jeff Marek isn't whispering about it.

Speaking on The Sheet Podcast, Marek framed the talks with one blunt line: "Like any negotiation really is all about pressure points."

Then he asked the only question that matters in Columbus this week. "And where's the pressure point here?"

Marek pointed straight at CAA and Pat Brisson, the agency and agent representing the young center. Read the numbers, and the leverage sits squarely with the player.

Fantilli scored 35 goals and 59 points in 82 games last season. Nothing he's done at this level tops it.

The clip is Marek running the leverage math out loud, one question at a time, like he's the one sitting across the table from Columbus management.

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Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard set the price for Columbus

Monday night, Columbus edged Detroit 1-0 in a shootout. The center was not among the Blue Jackets who dressed.

Here's the uncomfortable part for general manager Don Waddell. Leo Carlsson carries an $18,000,000 cap hit in Anaheim, the biggest number in the league.

Connor Bedard sits at $15,000,000 in Chicago. Any agent walks into the room holding those two figures, whether Columbus likes it or not.

Zach Werenski's $9,583,333 hit already anchors the blue line. Waddell has to decide how much more he's willing to commit up front.

Would Columbus really risk a stalemate with a player who jumped from 12 goals in 49 games to 31 the following season?

Bargaining with a young goal scorer is like haggling with the only plumber in town during a January freeze. You can complain about the rate, but you're still paying it.

Columbus does have one card to play. Fantilli went minus-13 last season, and that number will come up at the table.

Career-wise, the Nobleton, Ontario native has 140 points through 213 NHL games.

The pedigree was never the question. Columbus grabbed him third overall in 2023 after a Hobey Baker season at Michigan.

Letting this drag deeper into camp is a bad idea. Every day it lingers hands CAA another pressure point.

Rick Bowness gets Pittsburgh on Thursday, then Buffalo on October 1 when the games start counting. Whether his most dangerous young center is on the ice for either one is still anybody's guess.

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