Rising Cap can push fantilli to expensive deal in Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets fans hope that Adam Fantilli will soon sign a long-term contract extension, but the rising cap can push the 20-year-old star instead to a shorter bridge deal.

Fantilli, who enters the last year of his entry contract, is eligible to sign an extension this summer. While managing director Don Waddell would like to lock him up for eight years, according to the current SME rules, he can both the Pat Brisson agent, Pat Brisson, to a shorter term agreement.

“It can be difficult for young players to do long -term deals, because he may feel that he is leaving money on the table,” Said Waddell. “The good thing about dealing with (Pat Brisson), he has been a very straight shooter. I have known Pat for years, and we have done a lot of deals together. He will tell me how (fantilli) feels, what he thinks, that stuff is always a way to have contracts done.

With the salary limit that is expected to rise from $ 95.5 million to $ 113.5 million in 2027-28, a long-term deal could leave Fantilli underpaid just like it enters its Prime.

After a breakout 31-goal second season, the stock of Fantilli quickly climbs. He led the Blue Jackets in goals during the last 51 games and is seen as their top center of the future. But with NHL income – and salaries – to be shot to be shot, a bridge deal Fantilli could give the chance to cash in later, as soon as its value becomes clearer.

Waddell told reporters that he is “good with a bridge” and that it is “much logical” and noted that it gives Fantilli time to settle further. Both parties seem to understand that there is security in a long -term agreement, but even for $ 8 million a year it can be a bargain and players do not often want to land on the best value contract list.

As one of the brightest young stars of the competition, Fantilli is in a unique position to bet in itself, and it will be intriguing to see how much more that the blue jackets cost in the long term.

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