Adam Fantilli signs six-year contract extension with Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is officially back at Nationwide Arena, returning after a three-month summer break with a shortened 2026-27 preseason designed to accommodate an expanded 84-game regular season.

A Shortened Preseason and Roster Cuts

Unlike traditional schedules that featured a 21-day training camp and eight exhibition games, this year’s condensed timeline squeezed preparations. Head Coach Rick Bowness expressed concern that younger players and those on partial tryouts would receive less ice time to stand out against veterans.

Those guys deserve a little better look, but they’re not going to get it, Bowness said.

Ahead of the team’s first preseason contest against the Detroit Red Wings on Sept. 21, General Manager Don Waddell trimmed six players from the roster, leaving 49. Winger Conor Garland scored a shootout goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Detroit for the Blue Jackets’ first exhibition win. Following the game, right wing Mathieu Olivier voiced concerns about the physical adjustment under the tight schedule.

I’d like to play more personally, Olivier said. Hockey’s a sport where it’s really tough to replicate what kind of conditioning you’re getting on the ice. I don’t think there’s a perfect way to replace those games.

The Blue Jackets then traveled to New York to face the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 22 at KeyBank Center. After cutting the roster down to 45 players, Columbus fell 5-1 for their only loss of the preseason. Goaltender Cam Talbot stopped 23 shots through the first two periods and viewed the blowout as a valuable measuring stick.

It felt pretty good, and I think it’s a good test and a good learning curve for all of us to see what a team like that plays like and why they had so much success last year, Talbot said.

Adam Fantilli Signs Six-Year Extension

The most prominent storyline of the preseason centered on center Adam Fantilli, who missed all four exhibition games and the majority of training camp during ongoing contract negotiations. Hours before a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 21-year-old officially signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract extension with Columbus.

I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to be here in Columbus for the next six years, Fantilli said during a pre-game press conference. Obviously, I wish I was there day one. I wasn’t, but I’m here now and I’m excited to get going for the season.

Closing Out Exhibition Play

With the roster reduced to 34 players following additional cuts, reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski scored the opening goal in a 4-0 shutout win over the Penguins. Valeri Nichushkin, Danton Heinen, and Kirill Marchenko also tallied goals in the victory. Center Sean Monahan noted that the team’s success stems from structural discipline and competitive drive.

We want to be hard to play against, and I think that starts first and foremost with us competing, Monahan said. When you compete within that structure, it’s really hard to play against. Guys know where they [have] got to be, and if something fails, we’re going to have guys to back that up.

Before their final exhibition match, the Blue Jackets released nine more players, placed three on injured reserve, and moved defenseman Dante Fabbro to injured reserve after he sustained an upper-body injury against Detroit. Columbus concluded its preseason schedule on Sept. 26 at Little Caesars Arena with a 4-2 win over the Red Wings, featuring goals from Charlie Coyle, Nichushkin, Jack Williams, and Cole Sillinger. Goaltender Jet Greaves expressed optimism as the squad wrapped up camp.

The guys are feeling good together, Greaves said. It was a good way to finish it, but we’re excited to get the season going.

The Blue Jackets open the regular season against the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena.