Foligno Looks to Continue Upward Trend in New Home

ST. PAUL --Wild fans hoping to see the "Foligno Leap" at Xcel Energy Center might be disappointed.
The goal celebration, first made famous by Mike Foligno, has since been resurrected by his sons Nick, of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Marcus, acquired by Minnesota from the Buffalo Sabres last month. Mike used the celebration for years, after scoring goals as a member of the Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers during the 1980s and early 90s.

Nick pulled it out after scoring his first career NHL goal with the Ottawa Senators in 2007.
Marcus has used it as well with the Sabres, the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft.
But with a new city comes a new goal celebration.
"That stays in Buffalo. I want to keep my knees for a little bit longer. I don't know how my dad did it so long, but I'll rest up my body saving the jump," Marcus said on Friday at Xcel Energy Center during his first trip into his new home dressing room. "I just gotta put the puck in the net and put my hands up, that's how I gotta make sure I do it. If I do that 20 times, it's a good thing."

Reaching the 20-goal plateau is Foligno's goal for the upcoming season, a campaign that would continue a five-year upward trend. He scored five goals in 2012-12 before tallying seven a year later and eight in 2014-15. His first 10-goal season came in 2015-16 before another career high last season with 13.
Now surrounded by perhaps the deepest forward lineup he's ever played with, Foligno said he expects more from himself.
"Definitely, 20 goals is something I envision myself to reach and I hope to do that in a Wild jersey," Foligno said. "I just think playing with some big centermen, playing on a well-rounded team, I think I can do that. I felt last year that my offensive side was getting there and I'm looking to improve on that this season."
Of course, the Wild would be thrilled to see its newest power forward score 20 goals, but that's not likely to be the expectation. Minnesota's lineup has plenty of skill and speed throughout, but has lacked size in recent years.
Chris Stewart, a former teammate of Foligno in Buffalo, provided the Wild with its most consistent bruiser in front of an opponent's net. While Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Eric Staal also bring size, they are also counted on to be major offensive contributors.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Foligno knows his role will be to create havoc near the blue paint on a nightly basis. If he does that, reaching 20 goals should be attainable.
"I think I'm confident in myself, the way I play, the big-size game I do," Foligno said. "A guy like Chris Stewart, I think it's good to have a guy like that out there. There's a couple of nights where we can benefit each other ... throw our weight around, things like that, where we have to be more intimidating. I think that's what I'm brought in to do and above all that, you want to contribute offensively as well.
"You're playing with some great players, great centermen, I think it's going to help out my game offensively. I just need to make sure I'm playing simple hockey and being a physical presence every night."
Foligno joked that he's coming to the Wild at a good time. He said he watched video on Twitter of the recent tour of the club's new practice facility, TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center, and is excited to come to a franchise riding a five-season streak of reaching the postseason.

Foligno has never played in a postseason game in the NHL.
"I remember a couple games against them last year and the way they play the game, it's a fast-paced game. The offensive side of it, too, their defense are joining the play a lot," Foligno said. "I remember the game in Buffalo (a 4-0 win Oct. 27), they gave us a pretty good beatdown.
"I think now, with the way our team has transformed into a well-rounded team, I think it's pretty exciting to be here, get to the playoffs and make a big run."
It helps, too, that he's coming to an organization that is excited to have him. Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher said on a conference call following the trade that Foligno is someone the club has pursued at various points in each of the past few seasons.
Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has also raved about using his size and potential in front of the net.
"It's great for the confidence. I think that's the biggest thing. You've got to realize that Buffalo traded you, but you're going to a team that really, really wants you and wants you to succeed," Foligno said. "I'm put in a great position now that I feel coming in, 26 years old, knowing the league better, and knowing myself as a player better and what I really need to do for this team. I think it's great timing to transition to Minnesota."