Overview
- Adam Fantilli signed a six‑year contract reportedly worth $13.75 million average annual value on Friday, a move that briefly pushed the Blue Jackets over the $104 million salary cap.
- To clear the overage the club plans to place sidelined goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Isac Lundeström on long‑term injury reserve so the team meets cap rules ahead of roster deadlines.
- Late preseason injuries are complicating final lineups, with Buffalo’s Alex Lyon leaving a game with an apparent shoulder issue and Vancouver’s Filip Chytil undergoing shoulder imaging after leaving a contest.
- Teams are finalizing openings with rapid roster action: Philadelphia sent Cole Knuble, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk and Jacob Gaucher to the AHL, Pittsburgh dressed a prospect‑heavy lineup in Columbus, and Kirill Marchenko remains the subject of trade speculation.
- The shortened four‑game preseason and rising contract norms for young players mean Fantilli’s market‑level AAV reshapes Columbus’s short‑term roster flexibility and could accelerate waiver moves, AHL assignments, or trades before opening night.