Blue Jacket Leader

The big news today is which team Mike Babcock will be coaching next season and beyond.  I will get to that once I put together the thoughts I have on that matter.  For now, there was a different vacancy that was filled this week, as the Columbus Blue Jackets ended their search for a new captain that spanned three seasons.

Nick Foligno was named captain after a season in which he was the face of the Columbus Blue Jackets' All-Star showing and was one of the bright spots in the team's recent years.  Acquired in a largely unheralded trade with Ottawa for Marc Methot, Foligno would experience his best years to date, as he and Ryan Johansen would represent the team in this year's All-Star game in Columbus.  He set career highs in points as the Blue Jackets were taking their time to identify an on-ice leader after disastrous runs with Adam Foote and Rick Nash.