Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Late into the first day of free agency and the deals continue to roll in.
The Boston Bruins added some veteran presence to their forward corps on Wednesday evening, signing Nick Foligno to a two-year deal worth an average annual value of
The former Blue Jackets captain is primarily a defence-first forward these days, generating the odd burst of offence dependant on whom he happens to play with. Case in point; Foligno finished last season with 20 points in 42 games, albeit putting up 4 points in 7 games after coming over to the Leafs via trade and playing mostly alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Still, this is a risky deal for a rapidly-ageing Bruins team.
Foligno has dealt with injury issues on multiple occasions in the past, including a back ailment that hampered him significantly in the latter stretch of the 2021 regular season and playoffs, and committing two years at nearly $4 million per to this defensively-minded forward in his mid-30’s leaves room for disaster.
The Maple Leafs know exactly how bad this can turn out to be, having dealt their first-round pick for Foligno at the deadline only to watch injuries hold him to 11 total games with the team.
At least the Leafs could let him walk at year’s end. The Bruins will be on the hook through 2023 if Foligno’s body succumbs to Father Time.
Regardless, if Foligno can stay healthy, he can play a key role on a Bruins team that is already filled with veteran talent. It’s hard to think of it happening to a better guy, either.
