Adam Fantilli agrees to 6-year, $82.5 million deal with Blue Jackets

" Adam Fantilli has all of the tools you look for in a player ... speed, size, skill along with a competitive drive to succeed," Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. "He is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL and a big part of what we are building in Columbus, so this is a very exciting day for our organization and our fans."

Fantilli, 21, became a restricted free agent without arbitration rights July 1. Had he signed a big offer sheet, like Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson did with the Philadelphia Flyers , the Jackets would've been forced to match it or let Fantilli leave for a package of compensatory draft picks.

That didn't happen, allowing Waddell to seek a more team friendly cap hit than what Fantilli and agent Pat Brisson initially wanted. Getting their price, however, wound up costing Fantilli valuable preparation time with his teammates prior to opening the season against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1 at Nationwide Arena.