When the Blue Jackets re-signed Adam Fantilli earlier this week to a six-year deal worth $13.75MM per season, they put themselves over the salary cap.  While they can easily get back into compliance with LTIR placements, it doesn’t appear that’s the plan, at least as it comes to season-opening roster submissions.  GM Don Waddell told reporters including Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch (Twitter link) that he doesn’t believe the team will need to use LTIR to get into compliance.  Whether that means they will submit a smaller season-opening roster or whether there are trades in the works to cut down their payroll remains to be seen but it will be something to monitor before Monday’s roster deadline.

More from the Metropolitan:

• Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves is dealing with a lower-body injury, the team announced (Twitter link). He is set to undergo further evaluation to determine the extent of the injury.  Graves has struggled since joining Pittsburgh back in 2023 and has cleared waivers several times.  He was likely ticketed for the waiver wire over the next couple of days but the injury will put that on hold.  Graves had just one point – a goal – in 22 games with Pittsburgh last season and carries a $4.5MM cap charge through 2028-29.
• Flyers goaltender Daniel Vladar was on the ice today taking shots as he works his way back from an upper-body injury, notes Siobhan Nolan of The Hockey News (Twitter link). The injury was sustained earlier this week in a preseason game.  Head coach Rick Tocchet expressed some optimism that Vladar would be good to go for Wednesday’s opener.  Vladar was a big part of Philadelphia’s success last season, posting a 2.42 GAA and a .906 SV% in 52 appearances.
• The Capitals announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled forwards Tyler Kopff, Petr Sikora, and Alexander Suzdalev and defenseman Jon McDonald from AHL Hershey. All four players were recently cut but will get one extra preseason game to make an impression.  The team also revealed that veteran blueliner Justin Holl will be on waivers later today, which means veteran Dylan McIlrath has likely secured the number seven role to start the season.