Leafs land Foligno from Blue Jackets in 3-team deal with Sharks

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Nick Foligno from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a first-round pick in 2021 and a fourth-round pick in 2022, the team announced Sunday.

Toronto also acquired forward Stefan Noesen from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2021 fourth-rounder as part of the three-team deal.

The Blue Jackets retained 50% of Foligno's salary before dealing him to San Jose, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. The Sharks then reportedly retained 25% of his salary when they flipped him to Toronto in exchange for the fourth-round pick.

Foligno, 33, was in his ninth campaign with Columbus and served as captain since 2015-16. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The gritty forward tallied seven goals and 16 points over 42 games this season and led the Blue Jackets with 109 hits - which is 40 more than the Leafs' leader in that department.

Foligno has seen his offensive game decline in recent seasons, but he still makes a significant impact at the defensive end.

Nick Foligno, reportedly acquired by TOR, is a defensive specialist top six forward who doesn't bring much of anything offensively whether it's play-driving, production, or finishing. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/zdmtglAceN

- JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 11, 2021

Foligno is also capable of slotting into all three forward positions and is a proven penalty killer.

Both Foligno and Riley Nash, who the Leafs acquired earlier in the week, helped the Blue Jackets eliminate the Maple Leafs in the opening round of the 2020 postseason. Columbus outscored Toronto 4-0 with Foligno on the ice at five-on-five over the five-game series.

The deal marks the third of the week for Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen. He dealt rearguard David Savard to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday in addition to the pair of trades with the Leafs.

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