NHL News Today: Fantilli Contract Talks, Werenski Future and Senators Rumors

The latest NHL News for Thursday, August 13, 2026, is suddenly putting the Columbus Blue Jackets under a very bright spotlight.

On one side, Zach Werenski has publicly made it clear that he is open to remaining in Columbus long term, an important development after a turbulent start to the offseason that included a proposed trade to Dallas that Werenski ultimately blocked. On the other, 21-year-old center Adam Fantilli remains unsigned, and his contract negotiations have become one of the NHL’s most interesting remaining RFA situations.

That combination makes Columbus one of the teams I am watching most closely heading toward training camp.

The Blue Jackets cannot afford uncertainty around both pillars of their franchise. Werenski’s comments remove some of that concern, but Fantilli’s next contract has ramifications well beyond Columbus. The exploding price of elite young NHL talent has completely changed the leverage in these negotiations, and the Philadelphia Flyers continue to hover around the conversation because of their willingness to use the offer-sheet route earlier this summer.

NHL News: Blue Jackets Face Two Very Different Core Decisions

Werenski provided perhaps the most encouraging Blue Jackets news of the day when he discussed his future with NHL.com.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner said he would have “no issues being here for an even longer time,” while emphasizing his desire to see Columbus return to the playoffs. Werenski is under contract through 2027-28, so an extension isn’t an immediate requirement, but his comments matter after the uncertainty that surrounded him earlier this summer.

Remember what happened: Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell had a trade arranged with the Dallas Stars on June 30, but Werenski declined the move. Both sides subsequently released statements reaffirming his desire to remain with Columbus. His latest comments provide additional confirmation that the earlier trade drama does not necessarily mean his departure is inevitable.

My read: this is significant for Columbus.

Elite No. 1 defensemen are extraordinarily difficult to replace, and Werenski just produced 81 points in 75 games while averaging 26:37 of ice time. If Columbus can stabilize the situation around Werenski and eventually extend him, it removes one enormous organizational question.

But that brings us to Fantilli.

Fantilli remains the Blue Jackets’ last unsigned restricted free agent after Cole Sillinger and Jet Greaves reached new contracts. Fantilli produced 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points in 82 games last season and has established himself as a foundational center for Columbus.

Reports summarized this week indicate there remains a gap between Fantilli and Columbus. The rapid escalation in contracts for elite young players, particularly Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard has complicated the market. Philadelphia has subsequently been floated again as a possible offer-sheet threat, although previous reporting indicated the Flyers would rather maintain their financial flexibility than immediately pursue Fantilli.

I still believe an offer sheet is more interesting as leverage and speculation than as the most likely outcome.

Fantilli is exactly the type of player Columbus should be willing to invest heavily in. If another team forces the issue, the Blue Jackets would face an uncomfortable decision, but allowing a 21-year-old potential No. 1 center to leave during a rebuild would be an enormous gamble.

Senators and Canadiens Still Have Major Roster Questions

The Ottawa Senators are another team to watch.

General manager Steve Staios told Senators supporters Wednesday that he is “certainly not done” improving the roster after an offseason that already saw significant change. Reporting surrounding his comments also indicates that extending Drake Batherson remains one of Ottawa’s priorities.

That is worth watching because Ottawa doesn’t sound like an organization satisfied with simply taking its current roster into training camp.

Meanwhile, Montreal continues to generate intriguing trade speculation.

Montreal Gazette columnist Stu Cowan raised the possibility that unsigned RFAs Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc could become sign-and-trade candidates before training camp. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has acknowledged the possibility of additional moves later in the offseason while also making it clear he isn’t interested in forcing a bad trade simply to make one.

This is an important distinction: there has been no confirmation that Montreal intends to trade either player. Right now, this is informed speculation based partly on their unsigned status and Montreal’s remaining roster needs.

For me, Xhekaj would be especially interesting on the trade market because his physical dimension isn’t easily replaced. Montreal shouldn’t move him simply because another defenseman becomes available. If Hughes does move Xhekaj or Bolduc, it should be because the Canadiens are acquiring a player who clearly upgrades a more important position.

NHL Releases Shorter 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

There was also confirmed league news Thursday.

The NHL officially announced that the 2026-27 preseason will begin September 19 and run through September 26, featuring 65 games across eight days. The shortened preseason accompanies the expansion of the regular season to 84 games. The regular season opens Tuesday, September 29.

One highlighted preseason matchup will feature the Montreal Canadiens against the Ottawa Senators in the Kraft Hockeyville game in Trois-Rivières on September 21. Philadelphia and Washington will also meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, that evening.

That date is approaching quickly, which is why unresolved situations involving Fantilli, Xhekaj, Bolduc and other RFAs become considerably more interesting from this point forward.

What Today’s NHL News Tells Us

The major takeaway from today’s NHL news isn’t necessarily that a blockbuster trade is imminent.

It’s that several teams still have unfinished business.

Columbus appears to have received some welcome clarity from Werenski, but Fantilli’s contract remains a major item. Ottawa’s general manager is openly leaving the door open for further improvement. Montreal continues searching for the right roster balance. And with preseason beginning September 19, the window for offseason maneuvering is beginning to shrink.

From my perspective, Fantilli is the situation with the greatest potential to change the NHL landscape. An eventual Columbus contract would settle things quickly. But every week that passes without one creates another opportunity for teams around the league to wonder whether the Blue Jackets can be pressured.

That makes Fantilli one of the names worth keeping near the top of the NHL rumor watch list heading into September.

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