Members of the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to arrive for camp on September 16, with the first on-ice workouts scheduled for the next day. Earlier on Monday, the Blue Jackets added Cam Talbot to the team, bringing in another netminder for camp.

Still, there is one player on the roster who may not be on the ice on September 17. Adam Fantilli is still without a contract from the team, and talks with the restricted free agent are going slowly, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

“Adam Fantilli remained unsigned Monday ahead of Blue Jackets camp opening this week. The sides continue to talk, which is good, but there’s a sizeable gap to overcome. ‘Very slow' was how one source described things,” LeBrun wrote. “That negotiation needs a positive uptick. The slowness certainly hasn’t been for a lack of effort from either side this summer. There have been offers and counter-offers, but they’re just not there yet.”

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Fantilli was the third overall selection of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft. He broke into the NHL in 2023-24, playing 49 games with the Blue Jackets. Over the past three seasons, the forward has played in 213 games, finding the back of the net 67 times and adding 73 assists. His entry-level contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season, making him a restricted free agent.

As an unsigned restricted free agent, Fantilli can come to camp and use the facilities. He will not be able to participate in official practices with the team or play in any games. The Blue Jackets open the preseason against the Detroit Red Wings on September 21. The regular season opens on October 1 against the Buffalo Sabres at home.