Two Teams Linked to Trade for Blue Jackets' Nick Foligno

According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Columbus Blue Jackets have an important stretch of games against the Carolina Hurricanes that is essentially going to decide their fate at this season's trade deadline. If the team finds themselves out of the playoff race, expect to see some trades and that includes pending free-agent and team captain Nick Foligno.

Two teams that are linked to trading for the pesky forward are the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Foligno has tallied 12 points in 31 games.

The news dropped a few weeks ago that Foligno was being talked about by the Leafs brass and now with Anders Lee out for the Islanders for the rest of the season, it makes sense for them to replace Lee with Foligno. The two play a similar style and when you lose you captain what better thing to do then replace him with another leader.

The Islanders will have an easier time trading for Foligno as they can use the cap space they've created by moving Lee to long-term injury reserve. Meanwhile the Leafs will have a much harder time fitting Foligno in under the cap and will need to have Columbus retain some of his contract. This means the Islanders may be better off dealing him to Toronto so they can have them 'sweeten' the pot for the extra $$$ involved.

The 33-year-old is making $5.5 million on the cap this season and holds a 10-team trade list he submits to management. Sounds like he may be willing to move for a chance at a Stanley Cup and then could easily turn around and sign back with the Blue Jackets in the offseason.

Keep an eye on the Blue Jackets as they beat the Hurricanes on Thursday night in a shootout and have three more against the club. If things go well, Foligno isn't going anywhere.