Rumour: Leafs looking at Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno

The Toronto Maple Leafs boast a league-leading 18-6-2 record mid-way through the season, and rumour has it that Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is in the market for forward who can play in the team's top six.

While there are several intriguing options who may made available anytime between now now the trade deadline, such as Rickard Rakell (ANA), Mikael Granlund, Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg (NSH), Eric Staal and Taylor Hall (BUF) and Anthony Mantha (DET), the Leafs will have to do some serious cap gymnastics in order to take on almost all of these contracts.

According to the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons, the Leafs may be looking in a bit of a different direction and could potentially target Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno.

While Foligno definitely checks multiple boxes for Toronto (top-six winger, leadership qualities, competitor, playoff experience, on an expiring contract), his $5.5M cap hit puts the Leafs in the same position as many of the above-mentioned options, in that the Jackets would have to retain salary to make it work, cap-wise.

Where Simmons seems to miss the mark, however, is the price tag he put on Foligno. In his mind, Foligno would likely cost the Leafs Alex Kerfoot, plus one of Timothy Liljegren, Rasmus Sandin or Nick Robertson and a higher draft pick. In reality, given Foligno's status as a pending UFA and his advanced age (33), he could likely be had for much less, if the Blue Jackets look to move him.

The actual value of Foligno, if he does end up on the market, is definitely debatable - but as with most rentals that we have seen shipped out in the past that match Foligno's description, the cost of acquisition might be as low as a single draft pick. Now, in Toronto's case, with salary retention being a necessity, there would certainly be a sweetener involved, but it wouldn't be an A-prospect like Sandin, Robertson or Liljegren.

I would think that something like Alex Kerfoot, one of Mikhail Abramov or Nick Abruzzese and a 3rd round pick in 2021 likely gets it done, so long as Columbus is willing to retain, say $2M.

With the April 12th trade deadline fast approaching, along with the mandatory 14-day quarantine period that would effect any players who will be crossing the border, I would imagine the Leafs will get their man within the next week or so, especially since GM Kyle Dubas has shown in the past that he prefers to deal early to avoid late deadline bidding-wars. It's certainly something to be aware of with the Leafs heading into their final 30 games of the season.

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