Canadiens should go all-in on an Adam Fantilli offer sheet
We are less than two weeks away from the start of training camp for the Montreal Canadiens, and as it stands, the team will move forward with a similar centre group to last season. Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Jake Evans, and Phillip Danault will likely be the Canadiens’ centres this season, with Kirby Dach as another option down the middle. The biggest thing holding the Canadiens back from being viewed as a frontrunner to challenge for the Stanley Cup is the lack of a legitimate second-line centre.
The centre market has dried up since the NHL draft, with Vincent Trocheck and Mason McTavish being moved. Dylan Larkin seems unwilling to add teams he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to, which likely means the Canadiens are out of the running for his services. However, with reports out of Columbus that the Blue Jackets and Adam Fantilli remain apart on a new contract extension, he is definitely a player the Canadiens should target.
Canadiens can benefit from the uncertainty in Columbus
This offseason has not been ideal for the Blue Jackets. It kicked off with a bang when news surfaced that Norris Trophy-winning defenceman Zach Werenski vetoed a trade that would have sent him to the Dallas Stars. Werenski has since stated that he wants to stay and win in Columbus, but without a contract extension, his future remains uncertain. Then came the Kirill Marchenko rumours. Reports are that Marchenko is hesitant to sign a long-term deal with the Blue Jackets. The Canadiens have consistently been linked with the Russian forward, with Frank Seravalli claiming Montreal sent a “borderline insane” offer to Columbus. It only gets worse for Columbus, as Fantilli’s ongoing contract negotiations are creating some uncertainty around his immediate future with the organization.
Aaron Portzline, senior writer for The Athletic NHL in Columbus, reported that Fantilli did not participate in the Blue Jackets’ annual pre-camp golf outing. While this does not mean Fantilli wants out of Columbus, it should still be concerning. Fantilli is looking for a significant payday, and after the monster extensions to Macklin Celebrini, Leo Carlsson, and Connor Bedard, the price is only going up. Fantilli is reportedly looking for a deal that would pay him between $13 and $15 million a season. Columbus may be unwilling to make that type of offer, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding the team. If that is the case, the Canadiens should jump at the opportunity to add someone like Fantilli.
Canadiens need to spend big to add Fantilli
Fantilli is exactly the type of player profile they should be looking at. He adds size down the middle, listed at 6’2”, weighing around 205 pounds. He uses his size effectively, finishing third on the Blue Jackets in hits with 139. The Canadiens pride themselves on playing a 200-foot game, which suits Fantilli, who has become a very reliable two-way forward. His offence is the question mark. In his second season, Fantilli reached the 30-goal mark, finishing with 31 while adding 23 assists in 82 games. While his point total did increase last season, from 54 to 59, you would expect a bigger jump for a former third overall pick in his third season in the NHL. Not all the blame should be placed on him, given the lack of dynamic offensive talent on the Blue Jackets. Montreal’s lineup is littered with offensive talent, making Fantilli’s job on offence a lot easier, but it would still take a huge offer to acquire the young centre.
If Montreal wanted to trade for Fantilli, it is hard to see a deal where Columbus accepts without the Canadiens including Michael Hage. However, since he is still a restricted free agent (RFA), there is a world where the Canadiens can get Fantilli without losing Hage. If Montreal signs Fantilli to an offer sheet, and if the reports are right that he wants a deal worth north of $13 million, it would cost the Canadiens four first-round picks. The price is steep, but the Canadiens are out of the rebuild stage and are looking to win now with their core. The Canadiens prospect pool is still loaded with talent, which makes it easier to digest losing their first-round picks for a player who would help them right now. Canadiens fans have been asking for a big move, and adding Fantilli would be exactly that.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
