On April 11, 2020, at 6:40 pm, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Columbus Blue Jackets Left Winger Nick Foligno. The deal was a three-way, also seeing San Jose Sharks Forward Stefan Noesen move to Toronto. The Leafs sent their first-round pick this year to Columbus and dealt away their fourth-rounders in 2021 and 2022. The 2021 fourth goes to the Sharks; the Blue Jackets claim the 2022 pick. What might this mean?
It is a sad day in the Biggest Small Town in America for the Blue Jackets. Their longtime captain departs, but they receive first and fourth-round picks. After dealing David Savard to the Tampa Bay Lightning for another first, the Blue Jackets now own three first-round picks in this year’s draft. Now, the big question becomes: “Will the Blue Jackets tank for a high pick or compete?” After the two deals, the Blue Jackets will likely enter their rebuild led by star Right Winger Patrik Laine.
In Toronto, the Maple Leafs are loading up. First, they acquired Center Riley Nash from the Blue Jackets (ironically), and now they added a captain. Foligno will likely play anywhere from the top line to the middle six. With Foligno in the fold, the Leafs have another experienced vet who plays a style necessary in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Gritty & Grindy. Can the Leafs win Canada? General Manager Kyle Dubas and the Leafs’ fan base sure hope so, and now we’re going to find out.
Overall, I feel the trade is fair. Toronto blends in another vet with leadership to help their young guys. Will it work? That’s Toronto’s question, but it’s always worth trying. Columbus extracts yet another first-rounder to start a rebuild. How long will it take? We’ll see.
