It didn’t take long for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli to realize how difficult the NHL is. The Toronto, Ontario native was fresh off one of the most incredible college freshman seasons in recent history.

Playing upward of 20 minutes on most nights, Fantilli’s asserting himself as the centerpiece for the Blue Jackets' run toward the playoffs. He is showing why there was the conversation about him being a first-overall caliber player in his draft year, even though he eventually went third overall after Connor Bedard (CHI) and Leo Carlsson (ANA).