The Columbus Blue Jackets are heading into the Olympic break on an absolute tear. With a stunning 9-1 record in their last 10 games and a 7-game win streak, General Manager Don Waddell suddenly has a massive dilemma on his hands. Do you trade pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) like Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, and Erik Gudbranson, or do you double down for a playoff push?
According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Waddell is leaning toward the latter if the winning ways continue. The front office is reportedly hunting for an offensive finisher with term left on their contract. But here’s the kicker that should have every fan in Ohio buzzing: Waddell is also eyeing strategic depth moves, and former captain Nick Foligno is officially on the radar. Currently leading the Chicago Blackhawks, Foligno represents the ultimate veteran piece. If you’re wondering whether this reunion makes sense, let’s break down exactly what Foligno brings to the table and how the grueling post-Olympic stretch will dictate Columbus’s fate.
Why a Nick Foligno Reunion Makes Sense for the Columbus Blue Jackets
Look, I totally understand the excitement in Ohio right now. A 9-1 run heading into the Olympic break is nothing short of sensational, and it’s tempting to yell, “Go all in!” But let’s ground this in reality. The Eastern Conference is an absolute bloodbath this year, and making a reckless trade could sacrifice the long-term rebuild for a short-lived playoff cameo.
That being said, Don Waddell is a shrewd operator. If he decides to be a buyer, targeting a high-character depth piece like Nick Foligno is one of the smartest, lowest-risk moves he could make. Foligno is currently serving as a crucial veteran presence for the Chicago Blackhawks, mentoring their young core. While he might not be the 20-goal scorer he once was, his value in a tight, seven-game playoff series is immeasurable. He brings the exact type of heavy, grinding forecheck and locker-room accountability that wins games in May.
The Make-or-Break Post-Olympic Stretch
My personal insight? The real lynchpin to this entire rumor is the first two weeks post-Olympics. Momentum is a fickle thing in the NHL; it often dies when the season pauses. If the Blue Jackets stumble out of the gate and slide in the Metro Division standings, Waddell will instantly flip from buyer to seller.
The reality is that Jenner, Coyle, Marchment, and Gudbranson are all UFAs on July 1. If Columbus isn’t an absolute lock for the postseason, Waddell has a fiduciary duty to the franchise to auction those guys off to the highest bidder rather than losing them for nothing. But if they keep up this pace? Don’t be surprised if Waddell brings Foligno home to help finish what he started years ago.
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