Negotiations between the Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free agent forward Adam Fantilli are moving "very" slowly, sources told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
The sides are reportedly still talking, but NHL training camps are set to open this week. In late August, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he wasn't worried "at all" about signing Fantilli to a new deal before camp begins.
Fantilli is arguably the most prominent of the six restricted free agents across the league still unsigned despite the season being around the corner. The soon-to-be 22-year-old was the third overall pick in 2022 and has developed into Columbus' No. 1 center. He registered 59 points in 82 games last season while averaging nearly 19 minutes per contest.
The Blue Jackets have approximately $11.6 million in cap space to get a deal done, according to PuckPedia.
Waddell has also said he hopes to sign Fantilli for as long as possible.
Columbus is scheduled to open its season on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres.
