The Columbus Blue Jackets are through 21 games of the season. Let’s hand out some letter grades for every forward’s performance thus far.
We’re on to part two of our report cards for the Columbus Blue Jackets forward performance through 21 games. The CBJ have played a quarter of their season and we have enough data points at this time to be able to evaluate their play so far.
Be sure to check out part one if you haven’t yet as well as the defensive grades.
Let’s kick off part two with an evaluation of the captain, Nick Foligno.
We wrote about how Nick Foligno’s NHL career has followed a pretty regular trend. He has great seasons and then follows them up with below average years. Last year he had a below average year and is keeping up the trend by having an excellent year so far.
The captain has six goals and six assist through 20 games. Alongside Boone Jenner and Josh Anderson, Foligno has formed the Jackets second best line through the first quarter of the season.
His 12 points are good for fifth on the team and if Foligno keeps this up, a 48 point season would be in store. Not bad for the 31 year old who still shoulders tremendous defensive responsibility and scores a large majority of his points at even strength or shorthanded.
With the third and fourth lines flailing, there have been talks of moving Foligno down to a third line center role. For his sake and for the sake of the Jackets, let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
The second line is rolling right now and shouldn’t be tinkered with. Foligno has found a great home on Boone Jenner’s wing and has earned him a solid grade to start the season.