It looks like the new kid on the block is already making waves.
Columbus Blue Jackets development camp got underway this past week and already, Adam Fantilli is making a statement.
Im not there but sounds like Adam Fantilli has, uh, done some damage at Blue Jackets development camp.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 5, 2023
There are lots to sort out and for things to transpire with the roster and team as a whole between now and opening night, and ultimately how the course of next season plays out.
But for one day in June, the Blue Jackets may have finally hit the lottery. And hopefully for the Jackets, the good feelings only continue later this October, November, and January, and hopefully next spring, and beyond this season, and for years to come, and the good vibes that surround the Jackets only multiply.
As tough as May 8 felt once the Jackets fell to No. 3 for the NHL Draft, they look to have the dynamic, elite talent they've long sought after. And it's coming during the height of the team's rebuild.
Sheeeesh, Adam Fantilli.
— NHL (@NHL) July 6, 2023
(: @BlueJacketsNHL) pic.twitter.com/s8d5LJzsuv
Chicago Blackhawks management and fans are elated for winning the lottery and there was no doubt who they were taking in Connor Bedard.
And they should be excited.
The Blackhawks are getting an elite player that comes in with as much hype as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Though Chicago's rebuild might last beyond Bedard's entry-level contract, there's excitement for that organization and fan base.
On the other side of the equation, the Blue Jackets have a player in Fantilli who would have been the likely No. 1 pick in any other year and are hoping to come through the other side of their own rebuild by at least the time Fantilli is ready for his next contract. His current ELC has a cap hit of $950,000 and runs through 2025-26.
And there are reasons for optimism as this new Blue Jackets era of sorts begins to take off.
Head coach Mike Babcock is officially installed as the guy in charge. The résumé speaks for itself and Babcock certainly brings the pedigree and know-how these Jackets need.
For those wondering how Babcock and his philosophy might translate in Columbus?
It sounds like the players on the roster emphasized a coach of Babcock’s ilk because he’s a proven winner in the league and these players want to win.
"I tried to keep the line of communication open always with our leadership group," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said during Babcock's introductory press conference. "I value their opinions and respect them as people and players.
"The one common theme with the conversations that we had was that they said, 'We just want to win.'
"Getting the best coach here in order to help us win is something that I think we're all on the same page."
"This place is off-the-charts incredible, so there's no room not to do it right."
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) July 6, 2023
Mike Babcock believes the Blue Jackets have all the tools to be a much-improved team in 2023-24. #CBJ https://t.co/aj5lJMRASs
The height of success for this franchise has come under former head coaches, newly minted Hall of Famer Ken Hitchcock, and John Tortorella, who is four wins ahead of Babcock on the all-time wins list for head coaches in the league.
Kent Johnson enters his second full NHL season fresh off his 43-point campaign and Kirill Marchenko earned Calder votes after scoring 25 points (21 goals, four assists) in 59 games. Johnny Gaudreau was also one of the very few bright spots last season, registering 74 points (21 goals, 53 assists). Patrik Laine has been dealt a tough hand with injuries during his Columbus tenure but he remains one of the game's lethal shooters when healthy.
However the top six is ultimately constructed, there are wingers galore. Whether Fantilli gets his shot as the top-six center, and presumably Boone Jenner gets the nod on the first line, it's a dangerous mix of young and exciting talent.
The prospect core is beginning to cut their teeth at the NHL level and time will tell what they're made of. Top defensive prospects including David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk are around the corner, and Jiricek, the sixth overall prospect in last year's draft, has a chance to make the opening night roster this fall.
