COLUMBUS – On Wednesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that rookie center Adam Fantilli is expected to miss eight weeks with a lacerated calf.
Fantilli suffered his injury during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. The injury occurred when he delivered a hit against the boards to Kraken forward Jared McCann, whose skate connected with Fantilli's calf after the collision. He managed to skate to on one leg to the Blue Jackets' bench before heading back to the dressing room.
The loss of Fantilli means the Blue Jackets will not only be missing one of their top six forwards, but one if their most consistent players. The 19-year-old has 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games. He's third on the team in points and is fourth in both goals and assists.
The injury may also have an impact on Fantilli's chances at the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the most proficient player in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. He was listed among the short list of players who could overtake Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard in either goals and/or points after Bedard suffered a fractured jaw earlier in January. Currently, Bedard still leads the rookie points race with a four-point edge over Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber while Fantilli sits at fourth.
Entering Wednesday, Columbus (16-24-10) is 15 points behind the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and were also 12 points clear of the Blackhawks for the fewest points in the NHL.
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