The Columbus Blue Jackets placed Sean Monahan on IR: Fantilli to replace him

On January 10, 2025By Littum

Adam Fantilli is about to be tested on what he learned from watching Sean Monahan.

The Blue Jackets placed Monahan, 30, on injured reserve Thursday with a wrist injury going into a game against Seattle Kraken at Nationwide Arena, putting Fantilli in the veteran starring role at the center of a high-scoring forward line featuring Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov as wing players.

It’s a continuation of how the Blue Jackets finished a 4-3 shootout win Tuesday in Pittsburgh, with Monahan injured in the second period and leaving after skating the first shift in the third. Fantilli, who is exactly 10 years younger and was drafted third overall in 2023, sparked a two-goal comeback with an assist on a goal by Voronkov and his own goal to tie the game 3-3 on a late power play while playing Monahan’s “bumper” spot between the circles.

“He’s done all the right things,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “We’ve talked about ‘earning’ (roles and ice time). He’s earned the right (to center the top line). … he’s earned the right to go there.”

Fantilli’s second NHL season has challenged him from a statistical standpoint, which is common for second-year players and especially those who play center. While trying to survive on the faceoff points against a host of more experienced veterans—who are usually stronger physically—young NHL centers must also learn a host of nuances in all three zones they simply didn’t need at lower levels.

Monahan, the Blue Jackets’ third-leading scorer with 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists), has mastered those details. He anticipates plays smartly, gains advantages with stick lifts and body positioning, and his feel for playing the “bumper” spot in a 1-3-1 power play may be the biggest factor in the Jackets’ recent surge in the NHL’s man advantage. success locations.

He does it all for the Blue Jackets, including penalty kills, and Monahan’s demeanor while doing it reflects his calm, usually monotone style of doing interviews.

“If he’s out of our lineup, that’s a big part of our team,” Evason said. “It’s not just the point production or even the defensive game — killing penalties, winning faceoffs — but also the calmness he brings to the bench and the leadership as far as ‘by example’ that he not only gives our young guys but all the guys. That’s extremely valuable and that’s one reason we’ve had some success, largely because of his leadership qualities.”

Monahan opted to play for the Blue Jackets as a free agent last summer. There were several factors, including a five-year contract worth $27.5 million, but the main one was obvious.

After becoming close friends with Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flameshe eagerly awaited a reunion with him in Columbus. Gaudreau’s shocking offseason death in New Jersey rocked the sport of hockey and emotionally shattered the Blue Jackets — especially Monahan, who planned to live a few houses away from Gaudreau. Had Monahan struggled this season, no one would have batted an eye.

Instead, he has arguably become the Jackets’ most important forward.

Monahan, a key veteran, has pushed his new teammates – young and old – to reach new heights. Marchenko, for example, is leading the Blue Jackets in scoring in a breakout season by chasing pucks and throwing his body around to win multiple possession games. Voronkov is becoming a net-front threat at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with soft hands, great vision and a willingness to play in a high-contact area.

Fantilli has also won just by watching Monahan closely.

“His details are so good,” Fantilli said. “I don’t know what his (faceoff) stats are since he’s come into the league, but someone said he’s like top five in the league since he’s come in. His (defensive zone) details are unreal and where he is in the (offensive zone), he doesn’t even have to skate a lot. He’s just in the right spots. So … I’m learning from him, and it’s been great.”

Evason notices something else about Monahan’s demeanor that has helped the Blue Jackets grow.

“Things like getting frustrated coming off (after) you miss an opportunity,” Evason said. “Fantilli, before, would come out and be extremely emotional. You see Monahan come off the ice after missing opportunities … he just sits down and gets ready for the next shift and he gets another one, right? Coaches can talk until they’re blue in the face, but if they see a player of his stature doing that kind of thing, the right kind of thing, it’s extremely valuable.”

Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ center depth will be tested

Now, without Monahan, it’s time for Fantilli and Sillinger to keep the Blue Jackets’ top lines humming, provided they stay healthy. Sillinger will be a game decision Thursday due to illness, while Jenner and Justin Danforth are also out with injuries. Once again, heat issues have ravaged what started for the Blue Jackets as a deep pool of NHL center options.

Longer term, Fantilli will anchor the top line without Monahan, and Sillinger will center the second group after previously handling a role as the Jackets’ third-line focal point. The two “bottom six” lines will be centered by veteran Sean Kuraly and rookie Luca Del Bel Belluz, while rookie Owen Sillinger, 27, could make his NHL debut Thursday in a “Silly for Silly” trade if his younger brother doesn’t player.

Evason said Johnson or Voronkov could also move to center, but there is no easy way to replace Monahan. Good thing he’s been around for half a season to give tutorials.

“It’s really good to see sometimes,” Fantilli said “Less is more, like a center, where you just slow down. … I don’t always have to skate as fast as I can. You can slow down, and you’re in a better position because of that. I learned that from (Monahan) and from Boone last year.”

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Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ center depth will be tested

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