Blue Jackets sign No. 3 overall pick

Saturday is the first day that teams can sign their newly drafted players to NHL contracts. The Blue Jackets aren’t wasting any time with their top pick, as they’ve signed Adam Fantilli to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal are not yet known.

Fantilli was widely expected to be off the board by the time Columbus picked with the third overall selection. However, the Ducks, who picked second, opted to not take Fantilli and instead selected Leo Carlsson.

The 18-year-old had a dominant year with Michigan. He led the NCAA in scoring this season with 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games, collecting at least a point in all but three of his appearances. That helped him be named National Rookie of the Year along with the Hobey Baker Award for the best player in college hockey.

Fantilli also had a good showing internationally last season. He picked up five points in seven contests at the World Juniors and also saw action at the World Championship as one of only five draft-eligible players participating; Fantilli had a goal and two assists in 10 contests at that event.

Last month, Fantilli expressed an openness to remaining with the Wolverines for another season but after Columbus picked him, GM Jarmo Kekalainen indicated that he’d like to see Fantilli turn pro. He’s clearly getting his wish.

While it will take some time for him to live up to his potential, the Blue Jackets believe that Fantilli has a chance to become the legitimate top-line center that they have been seeking for quite some time now. If that happens, Columbus will finally have that particular much-needed franchise pillar in place.