The Blue Jackets re-signed center Adam Fantilli to a six-year, $82.5 million contract on Thursday. Fantilli was a restricted free agent and missed the first week of training camp as the two sides worked on a deal. He becomes the Blue Jackets' highest-paid player with a contract that averages $13.75 million per year.

The 21-year-old Canadian was the third overall pick by Columbus in the 2023 NHL draft after winning the Hobey Baker Award at the University of Michigan. Fantilli was second on the team with 24 goals and third in scoring with 59 points last season. He is the third player in franchise history with multiple 20-goal campaigns before turning 22.

"Adam Fantilli has all of the tools you look for in a player -- speed, size, skill -- along with a competitive drive to succeed," general manager Don Waddell said. "He is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL and a big part of what we are building in Columbus."

Fantilli is expected to center Columbus' top line with Kirill Marchenko and Valeri Nichushkin. The Blue Jackets look to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.