The Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline is reporting that Nick Foligno has agreed to a three-year, $9.15 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. That represents a sizable raise over the $1.55 million he made in 2011-12.
Foligno had a career-high 47 points and 124 penalty minutes in 82 games with the Ottawa Senators last season. As a restricted free agent, Ottawa dealt his rights to Columbus in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot.
The Columbus Blue Jackets don’t have many appealing skilled forwards beyond Rick Nash - who they are likely to trade this summer - so Foligno shouldn’t have much difficulty landing a top-six spot next season. He might also get more playing time with the man advantage in Columbus after averaging 1:45 minutes with the Senators in 2011-12.
Foligno will turn 25 on Oct. 31 and he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this contract.