After posting career numbers in 2014-15, Nick Foligno has had a tough time producing this season.
Current Jackets coach John Tortorella wasn’t behind the bench when Foligno was named the captain, but despite questioning the leadership in his locker room on more than one occasion, Tortorella has no plans to remove the “C” from Foligno’s jersey.
“It’s been a bad year for Nick, and he has to understand that and he has to look at himself,” Tortorella said, per the Dispatch. “He needs to get himself straightened up. Nobody else can do it other than him.
“Nick is our captain. There’s been zero discussion of (changing captains).”
The 28-year-old hasn’t recorded a point in his last 11 games and he has just nine goals and 34 points in 67 games this season. Those numbers are way down from last year, when Foligno scored 31 goals and 73 points.
“There’s a lot of things about my game this season that have just … fooled me,” Foligno said. “I’ve gone through every emotion possible. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. Eventually you realize that those things don’t make it better.
“I’m trying to be a good leader for this team and find my way through it. I know it’s not going to last. I know I’ll be a better player for it and come out on the other side.”
Being a rookie captain in the NHL isn’t always easy (just ask Max Pacioretty, for example). But it’s good to know that Tortorella won’t take drastic measures after a failed season from the Blue Jackets. As you may remember, Torts stripped Vincent Lecavalier of the captaincy when they were both in Tampa Bay a few years ago.
