Why Nick Foligno Should Select Sergei Bobrovsky First

As we all know, Nick Foligno is the captain of the designated “home,” team for this weekend’s All Star Game, meaning he – along with his assistant captains – will be selecting who will represent the black-sweatered, Darryl Sutter coached squad come Sunday in the “Fantasy Draft,” on Friday, to officially kick off the All Star Weekend.

And, while its not the groundbreaking decision as who you’re going to take first in your fantasy football, with two Blue Jackets for Foligno to chose from, the conversation, at least among Blue Jackets fans, is “who is Foligno going to chose first?” But, just as soon as the question is asked, its quickly retracted. Because there’s a sudden realization of who is choosing and who is available to choose.

Nothing against Ryan Johansen, but we all know who Foligno is going to take if he takes one of the two. It’ll be Sergei Bobrovsky. That’s not the point of writing this. The point of writing this is to say that – with the first pick of the 2015 All Star Fantasy Draft, Nick Foligno *Should* Select…Sergei Bobrovsky!

Yes, you read that right. First pick. Overall. Should go to Bob.

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Now, before you lose your mind, let me defend myself. If Foligno were the captain in any other city, I wouldn’t suggest, or even consider, such a thing. He’d get one of the top forwards on the board so he can have some fire power right off the bat and build from there.

But, this game is in Columubs. And, with nothing but pride on the line…why not choose Bob first? Can you think of any other city that has the same love, admiration and relationship for and with their goalie than Columbus does with Bob? Sure, there have been some popular goaltenders throughout the time, and even now, but they were almost always overshadowed (is that the right word? That’s the word I’m sticking with) by the goal scorer or the fighter – or even the coach.

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Bob has captured the hearts of Blue Jackets fans unlike any other goalie that I can think of (the closest comparison I can come up with is

Pekka Rinne

and the Predators fans), as he was

the beginning

to this past few years of making the Blue Jackets a team worth watching, playing for and pulling for. His consistent play sparked the record-setting December just last month. Without his Vezina-winning season, who knows where the Jackets would be right now?

The biggest reason why Foligno needs to go with Bob first is obvious. And, if it isn’t, take a look at the picture above. “The Hug,” is a favorite post-game tradition of Blue Jacket fans, and its one that never gets old. How awesome would it be to see Sergei Bobrovsky walk across the stage and open the draft, with all of the hockey world watching, and give Foligno a huge hug. Hey, we might even be able to hear what Foligno says to make him laugh, with all those mics!

A Team Foligno with Bobrovsky seems almost destined to happen. So, why not build your team from there? The more hugs the better, right?