Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan on IR: Adam Fantilli fronts plan to replace him
Adam Fantilli is about to be tested on what he’s learned from watching Sean Monahan.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets 2024-25 midseason report card: As, Bs and a couple Cs
The Blue Jackets placed Monahan, 30, on injured reserve Thursday with a wrist injury going into a game against the Seattle Kraken at Nationwide Arena, putting Fantilli into the veteran's main role at center for a high-scoring forward line with Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov as wingers.
It’s a continuation of how the Blue Jackets concluded a 4-3 shootout win Tuesday in Pittsburgh , where Monahan was injured in the second period and exited after skating the first shift of the third. Fantilli, who’s 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 it, 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 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 at the faceoff dots against a slew of more experienced veterans – who are usually stronger physically – young NHL centers also must learn a long list of nuances in all three zones they simply didn’t need at lower levels.
Columbus Blue Jackets ' centers are learning from Sean Monahan
Monahan, the Blue Jackets' third-leading scorer with 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) has mastered those details. He anticipates plays astutely, gains advantages with stick lifts and body positioning, and his feel for playing the “bumper” spot in a 1-3-1 power play might be the biggest factor in the Jackets’ recent surge up the NHL’s man-advantage success rankings.
He does it all for the Blue Jackets, including penalty-killing, and Monahan’s demeanor while doing it mirrors his calm, usually monotone style of doing interviews.
“If he’s out of our lineup, it’s a huge part of our team,” Evason said. “It’s not only the point production or even the defensive game – killing penalties, winning faceoffs – but also the calmness he brings on the bench and the leadership, as far as ‘by example’ that he provides not only for our young guys but all the guys. It’s extremely valuable and it’s a reason why we’ve had some success, in large part, because of his leadership qualities.”
Monahan chose to play for the Blue Jackets a free agent last summer. There were multiple factors, including a five-year contract worth $27.5 million, but the main one was obvious.
After becoming Johnny Gaudreau’s close friend with the Calgary Flames , he eagerly anticipated a reunion with him in Columbus. Gaudreau’s shocking offseason death in New Jersey rocked the sport of hockey and crushed the Blue Jackets emotionally — especially Monahan, who planned to live a couple houses away from Gaudreau. Had Monahan struggled this season, nobody would’ve batted an eye.
Instead, he's arguably become the Jackets’ most important forward.
Monahan, a key veteran, has pushed his new teammates — young and older — to reach new heights. Marchenko, for instance, is leading the Blue Jackets in scoring during a breakout season by hounding pucks and throwing his body around to win more possession battles. Voronkov is becoming a net-front menace at 6 feet 5, 240 pounds with soft hands, great vision and a willingness to play in a high-contact area.
Fantilli has also gained just by watching Monahan closely.
“His details are so good,” Fantilli said. “I don’t know what his (faceoff) stats are since he came into the league, but someone was saying he’s, like, top five in the league since he came in. His (defensive zone) details are unreal, and where he is in the (offensive zone), he doesn’t even have to skate much. He’s just finding himself in the right spots. So ... I’m learning off him, and it’s been great.”
Evason notices something else about Monahan’s demeanor that has helped the Blue Jackets grow.
“Stuff like getting frustrated coming off (after) you miss an opportunity,” Evason said. “Fantilli, in the past, would come off 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 those type of things, the right type of things, it’s extremely valuable.”
Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger and 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, assuming they stay healthy. Sillinger will be a gametime decision Thursday due to illness, while Jenner and Justin Danforth are also out with injuries. Once again, heath issues have ravaged what started out 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 pivot. 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" swap should his younger brother not play.
Evason said Johnson or Voronkov could also switch to center, but there’s no easy way to replace Monahan. Good thing he’s been around half a season to provide tutorials.
“It’s really good to see sometimes,” Fantilli said “Less is more, as a centerman, 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 it. I’ve learned that from (Monahan), and from Boone last year. It’s been really helpful.”
Get more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets put Sean Monahan on IR: Fantilli to replace him
