Could the Blue Jackets bring back a beloved franchise great?

As the trade deadline approaches, everything continues to be quiet on the Blue Jackets front. That is, until this afternoon. It's currently being reported that the team could be in talks to acquire a former franchise icon.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported this afternoon on X that the Chicago Blackhawks are trying to do right by Nick Foligno. With their team well out of the playoff race, they are hoping to send him to a better situation, where he might be able to make a difference down the stretch and in the playoffs.

The two teams Emily mentions as preferred destinations? The Minnesota Wild, where his younger brother Marcus plays. And, the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent the best days of his career.

Nick was the longest serving captain in CBJ history, playing in that roll for six seasons. His name peppers the franchise record book, where he sits 5th all-time in games played (599), 4th in goals (172), and 5th in assists (192) and points (334).

Is it possible that the team could pick him up ahead of tomorrow's deadline, and give him a chance to improve upon those numbers? Depends on which angle you look at.

From the management angle, I could definitely see Don Waddell making this move, for a couple of reasons. First, we know he prefers this type of player. Nick has the requisite size, two-way ability, and experience to help this team.

Secondly, and most important of all: he's a heck of a nice guy. One of the main focuses of Waddell since coming to Columbus, has been adding quality personalities to the dressing room. None better than Nick Foligno.

From the roster construction angle? It makes less sense. Very little sense, if we're being honest.

The Blue Jackets are already at 23 players, and that's with Zach Aston-Reese playing in the American Hockey League. To make this deal, they would have to either send a body out, or risk sending someone else through waivers.

And, let's be real here: this isn't the same Nick Foligno who once put up 31 goals and 73 points. At 38 years old, he's looking at what will likely be his final few games in the NHL. At best, he's probably the 13th forward here. I don't see him as an upgrade over Danton Heinen at this point.

His cap hit is also not insignificant, as Mark Scheig points out (though, the money is a little bit more palatable). This won't hurt them for this year, fortunately.

The point here would not be improving the roster. It would be doing right by a franchise legend. That's the important thing to keep in mind. We'll see if anything comes out of it.