The Columbus Blue Jackets wasted no time in signing recent first-round pick Adam Fantilli to his entry-level contract.
That immediately answered one question - no, he will not be returning to Ann Arbor for his sophomore season at the University of Michigan. But it opened another; where will he slot in the Columbus Blue Jackets lineup this season?
Second Line Center
Sure, it's possible that Fantilli dethrones Boone Jenner as the 1C this year, but it's hard to imagine that happening in/by October. For new head coach Mike Babcock, having someone like Jenner represents a solid insurance policy. Why throw Fantilli into the fire unnecessarily?
Instead, having him start the season with quality wingers - some combination of, say, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, Alexandre Texier, or Patrik Laine - would give him the offensive firepower needed to flourish.
Third Line Center
Much can change between now and October, but it's possible that someone like Jack Roslovic or Cole Sillinger, or the aforementioned Texier, holds down the 2C slot. In that scenario, perhaps Fantilli moves to a less-offensive role. The issue with this is that, until proven otherwise, it feels like this spot will go to Dmitri Voronkov, with Sean Kuraly holding down the 4C slot.
First Line Wing
If Jenner, Sillinger/Texier/Roslovic, Voronkov, and Kuraly are the four centers, perhaps Babcock gets creative and moves Fantilli to the wing. Playing center in the NHL as a teenager is rarefied air, and while it's likely it's his long-term landing spot, maybe it makes sense to get him on the ice in an offensive role alongside Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau.
Second/Third Line Wing
Similar to the above, but with less pressure. Gaudreau and Marchenko played well together last year, so perhaps those are the first-line wingers. In that scenario, Johnson and Laine would probably be second-line wingers. Or, presuming Cole Sillinger bounces back this season, it could be interesting to see a line with all three of their recent forward first-round draft picks; Sillinger, Johnson, and Fantilli.
The AHL
It remains a possibility that Fantilli could play games in the AHL. He is Canadian, but never played in the CHL, so his age does not preclude him from playing in the minor leagues. If it seems like the NHL is too rich for Fantilli, or he doesn't crack the squad out of training camp, he would immediately be a (the?) key player for Cleveland. And while that may be disappointing to some, it would beat him being a regular healthy scratch.
The reality is that the Blue Jackets have a lot of unpacking to do as it comes to figuring out which players slot where in the lineup. Fantilli's ability to play up and down a lineup, and at different positions - or even in the AHL - gives the organization maximum flexibility.
