COLUMBUS -- Sixty seconds before the team took to the ice for their pregame skate, the Blue Jackets announced the signing of left wing Nick Foligno to a six-year, $33 million contract extension. The announcement came on the night that Foligno played in his 500th NHL game.
"It was a good, healthy process," said general manager Jarmo Kekalainen when asked how long the two had been talking. "(assistant general manager) Bill Zito handles all of the negotiations for us, as always. It was obviously a priority for our team. We took it very seriously, right from the start and wanted to get it done."
Kekalainen reiterated that the team wants players that want to be in Columbus. Foligno has never shied away from the fact that he and his family love the city and wanted to be here.
Beyond Foligno having the best year of his career to date, he has become one of the faces of the franchise. He easily would have received a higher offer if he had gone into July as a free agent to test the market. It's a testament to both him and the organization that a deal was struck before the halfway point of the season was reached.
Foligno has accrued 17-14-31 in 33 games this season, on pace to shatter his best year by a country mile. He told FOX Sports Ohio earlier this month that he feels that he's maturing as a player and that he's just now entering his prime. But, this contract extension is about more than just the amazing numbers he's putting up for the team this season.
"It's not all about statistics, obviously," said Kekalainen. "We want guys that want to be Blue Jackets and play the way we want the Blue Jackets to play. Nick Foligno does that."
"Him and his wife, Janelle, want to stay here," Kekalainen said, "they want to be a part of the community. they want to do a lot of different things in Columbus and for people in Ohio. those are great things for us and we appreciate it. All of those things weighed into our decision and he's a big part of our future."
Foligno exemplifies what it means to be a Blue Jacket and play Blue Jackets hockey. He is a leader, both on and off the ice. Having him under long-term contract can only bode well for Foligno, his family and the Blue Jackets organization.
