The Columbus Blue Jackets might finally have found the first-line center they’ve long been waiting for. They have taken Adam Fantilli, the Hobey Baker winner, with the third overall pick at the 2023 draft.
This is a major stroke of luck for the Blue Jackets franchise, as it’s highly likely they would have selected Fantilli had they owned the second-overall selection. They were passed by the Chicago Blackhawks in the draft lottery, but now their fall turned out to not be a setback.
Fantilli is the type of player who might go first overall in any draft class that doesn’t include Connor Bedard. He combines speed, size, skill, and an impressive compete level to make him a strong bet to become a number-one center at the NHL level.
He’ll quickly become a fan favorite in Columbus, and he’ll join a growing stable of former Michigan Wolverines with the Blue Jackets, who already roster Zach Werenski, Nick Blankenburg, and Kent Johnson.
Even with 2021 first-rounder Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and Russian import Dmitri Voronkov in Columbus’ long-term plans down the middle, Fantilli is likely to end up Columbus’ first-line center in the long term.
He may take a little while to reach that point, but if his impressive form at Michigan (30 goals, 65 points in 36 games) is any indication he’ll eventually become the face of the Blue Jackets.
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