Toronto Maple Leafs going for it as they trade for Nick Foligno, leverage San Jose to facilitate deal
Anthony Scultore
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The Toronto Maple Leafs want to end their Stanley Cup drought that has lasted since 1967. Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas are feeling the pressure of not winning in 54 years so they brought in a leader. Not a fancy skill guy, but a hard-nosed, grind it out, take you to the limit type player.
Nick Foligno is now going to wear the Maple Leaf on his chest.
Maple Leafs trade for Nick Foligno
According to Elliotte Friedman, this is a 3-way deal involving the SJ Sharks which when it’s all said and done will only cost the Leafs 25% of Foligno’s cap hit. Trade details are still pending an official call but the Leafs are sending Columbus a first round pick in the deal.
Foligno is 33 years-old and has seven goals and 16 points in 42 games for the Blue Jackets this season. Goal scoring has been a nightmare for the entire Columbus team; so don’t be surprised if John Tortorella loses his job over it.
The rugged winger will be a UFA at the end of the season coming off a deal that paid $5.5 million annually. Whether the Leafs try to re-sign him next season will depend on who they can move out as they are up against it and want to re-sign Zach Hyman. That is if Foligno wants to re-sign there.
Foligno could return to Columbus next season
Earlier today I dropped my deadline predictions with Foligno going to the Minnesota Wild. While I got that wrong I noted that Foligno would likely look to return as captain of the Blue Jackets this summer at the start of free agency.
Apparently Aaron Portzline who covers the team for The Athletic feels the same way. If this is the case; the Leafs paid a hefty price to win the Cup.