Columbus Blue Jackets: Liam Foudy Proved His Worth

Liam Foudy was the Columbus Blue Jackets 18th overall pick in the previous NHL Entry Draft.

Liam Foudy has been sent back to the OHL for another year with the London Knights, however he proved his worth for the Columbus Blue Jackets in his preseason showing this year.

It’s very possible that he will make a push to make the NHL team next season, especially if players like Brandon Dubinsky and Alexander Wennberg have another down season in 2018-2019.

If he was eligible for the AHL this season, which unfortunately he’s not, Foudy could definitely have seen some NHL time this year when injuries come into play down the stretch. Instead Foudy will continue to develop in junior with a program that is synonymous with success, especially over the last decade or so.

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The London Knights, for those Blue Jackets trivia buffs, was home to former Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash during his tenure in the OHL. More recently, undrafted signing Kole Sherwood played for head coach Dale Hunter.

With Foudy’s undeniable skill and unteachable speed, he’s looking like a guaranteed NHL caliber player in just a few years time. His style of play seems to be comparable to a more offensive minded Dylan Larkin, however time will tell if he reaches the same ceiling as Larkin.

Liam Foudy was certainly a surprise pick at 18th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, however as general manager Jarmo Kekalainen‘s past record shows, his surprise picks always seem to be the best ones.

With Foudy shining in preseason unexpectedly and the rest of the draft class yet to have a chance to make a mark on the Blue Jackets organization, will we once again see one of the best possible draft classes from Jarmo Kekalainen or will it turn into a one hit wonder?