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Columbus Blue Jackets 17-18 Season Evaluation: Nick Foligno

By Lansing Murphy |
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) celebrates after scoring a goal during game 6 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 23, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) celebrates after scoring a goal during game 6 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 23, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With the Columbus Blue Jackets season over it’s time for the Union and Blue staff to give their evaluation of each player’s year.

Much like the rest of the Columbus Blue Jackets squad, Nick Foligno‘s 2017-2018 campaign wasn’t quite as impressive as his previous season. The captain saw his goal total, assists, shots and shooting percentage numbers all fall this season.

Much of that can be attributed to Foligno playing most of the year at the center position and not his natural home on the wing. The Jackets faced incredible struggles down the middle with injuries and inconsistent play from Alexander Wennberg, Lukas Sedlak, and Brandon Dubinsky throughout the year.

Foligno started as the second line center with youngsters Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand but never found consistent line mates that worked, or could stay healthy. The captain was a true team player though and never complained about the instability of his line and increased faceoff responsibility that led to decreased production.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Nor did he complain about his lack of power play time that drastically changed from the 2016-2017 season. The power play combinations fluctuated all year long. Foligno went from 11 goals and 10 assist on the man advantage last year to just two goals and two assist this season.

On Year, Off Year

Ever since 2013, Foligno’s first full season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has alternated between below average years and excellent seasons. The on year to off year back and forth is very interesting.

In 2013-2014 Foligno played 70 games and scored 39 points. Next year he exploded for a career high 73 points in 79 games. After that he cooled down and only produced 37 points in 72 games. Then again, after a down season, he bounced back to put up 51 points in 79 games.

That leads us to this campaign which was another 72 game disappointing season. If the trend continues the 2018-2019 season should be a huge year for the Captain.

In order for that to happen the Columbus Blue Jackets need to move Foligno back to the wing and let him play his game. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alexander Wennberg, Lukas Sedlak, Brandon Dubinsky, and Jonathan Davidsson provide Torts with some solid options down the middle, assuming Sedlak is healthy and Dubi can bounce back to be a serviceable fourth line center.

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It wasn’t a great season for Nick, but it wasn’t terrible either. Playing center was tough for him and next year should be different. With Foligno back on the wing, the Jackets should expect 45+ points out of the 31 year old captain next year.

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