Senators trade Foligno to Jackets for Methot

Having lost defenseman Filip Kuba to unrestricted free agency, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray moved swiftly to fill a big hole on his blue line Sunday.

Murray sent versatile, rugged forward Nick Foligno to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for stay-at-home defenseman Marc Methot.

Kuba was the defense partner for Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, and it’s very possible defense-first Methot could slide into that coveted spot next to the puck-moving, offensive defenseman.

Methot, who turned 27 on June 21, is an Ottawa native and is signed for three more years at $3 million per season, $1 million less than 35-year-old Kuba will earn the next two seasons with the Florida Panthers.

Methot suffered a broken jaw last season and didn’t play a game after Feb. 9, but he was invited to play for Canada at the World Championships.

The Blue Jackets add a versatile forward -- Foligno, 24, broke out with 47 points for Ottawa last season in 82 games. Foligno added a goal and three assists in the Senators' seven-game loss to the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has some edge to his game, racking up 124 penalty minutes last season.

Foligno is a restricted free agent.