Columbus Blue Jackets: Four Bold Predictions
By John Gove
Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Back To Reality for Foligno
As mentioned earlier, the Blue Jackets were completely devastated by injuries last season. When situations like this arise, it is not uncommon to see certain players step up and produce more than what we usually expect from them. This was the case with Captain Nick Foligno last season. Foligno had the best year of his eight-year career scoring 31 goals and adding 42 assists. His 73 points surpassed his previous career-best point totals by 26! Although the Blue Jackets faithful is hoping that what they witnessed from Foligno last season is going to be the new normal for him, it is highly unlikely.
I am in no way saying that number seventy-one will not continue to be a valuable asset for Columbus. However, to expect him to have another 70-plus points season is a little unrealistic. I predict that Foligno will produce somewhere between 45 and 55 points this season, which is still a respectable amount.
Next: Prediction Two