The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired a first-round pick in the 2021 National Hockey League Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a three-team trade that includes the San Jose Sharks and will send forward Nick Foligno to Toronto, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As part of the deal, Columbus will retain 50 percent of Foligno's contract, which expires at the end of this season.
Foligno, 33, has tallied seven goals and nine assists for 16 points and 28 penalty minutes in 42 games this season. He has registered 203-279-482 and 765 penalty minutes in 950 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators, adding 9-13-22 and 40 penalty minutes in 51 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Selected by Ottawa in the first round, 28th overall, at the 2006 NHL Draft, he was acquired from the Senators in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot on July 1, 2012. He has notched 142-192-334, 466 penalty minutes and a +16 plus/minus rating in 599 career games with Columbus. He ranks third in franchise history in games played (Rick Nash-674, Cam Aktinson-614), goals (Nash-289, Atkinson-212), assists (Nash-258, David Vyborny-204) and points (Nash-547, Atkinson-396). Named the club's sixth captain prior to the 2015-16 season, he is the longest serving captain in Blue Jackets history.
"Nick Foligno has been everything you'd want in a captain, in a representative of your team and ambassador for your community. His contributions to the Blue Jackets franchise and the impact he and his family have had off the ice is immeasurable," said Kekalainen. "We are grateful for everything he, Janelle, and their family have done for and with us over the past nine years. Given where we are right now, this move made sense for us as an organization and for Nick."
In 2014-15, Foligno set career highs in goals, assists and points with 31-42-73 in 79 games and was selected to play in the All-Star Game held at Nationwide Arena. He served as one of the team captains and collected 1-1-2 in the contest. In 2016-17, he became the first player in NHL history to win the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and Mark Messier Leadership Award in the same season.
CBJ acquire draft picks from Leafs in exchange for Nick Foligno
