Fantilli fed up with Blue Jackets' skid: 'I don't want to get used to losing'
Only 15 games into his NHL career, rookie Adam Fantilli expects more from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This year's third overall pick called for higher standards after Columbus lost its fifth straight game Sunday against the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets coughed up a lead with 11 seconds remaining in the third period, then fell short in a shootout.
"We have a young team, but that does not matter," Fantilli told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "I hate losing. I never want to lose. I don't want to get used to losing. I'm not happy about it. I'm not happy about the series of losses we've had.
"I want to be able to fix it. I want to do my part in being able to fix that. We're a young team, but we're extremely skilled, and I think we have (the ability to play) a lot better than we're showing."
Columbus has fallen to eighth in the Metropolitan Division and 27th in the league standings with a 1-5-4 record in its last 10 appearances.
Fantilli is tied for the team lead with nine points this season despite logging only 15:23 per contest. The 19-year-old ranks fourth in rookie scoring, trailing Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley, and Pavel Mintyukov.
The Blue Jackets return to the ice Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.