Where Does Nick Foligno Fit In the Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup?

But First, Who Is Nick Foligno?

Defensive specialist. Those were the two words describing Nick Foligno soon after his trade to the Leafs was announced.

And it is undoubtedly fitting. Over the past three seasons, Foligno has only finished with 33, 35, and 31 points respectively. But not only is Foligno exceptional defensively at even-strength, he has been one of the more effective penalty-killing forwards in the league over the past three seasons, truly rounding out his game as a prominent defensive force.

Similarly, Foligno is a tremendous forechecker. Using Corey Sznajder’s privately tracked data, Foligno is averaging 5.5 recovered dump-ins per 60 at 5-on-5 this season. The Leafs’ most prolific forechecker, Zach Hyman, is averaging 5.4.

What drew Dubas and Co. to the Buffalo native is also his versatility. He can play anywhere from line one to three. He can fill in at center in a pinch – although, at his age, he likely fits more on the wing – and he can drive his own line.

This season in Columbus, Foligno’s most common linemates were Alex Texier and Boone Jenner. With Foligno’s 41% defensive zone faceoff percentage in contrast to 27% in the offensive zone, that line was still able to register a 53% expected goals rating (stats; Evolving-Hockey, NaturalStatTrick).

It was clear Foligno was the main cog of that threesome as Texier and Jenner, without Foligno, were only able to muster a 48% xG mark, a significant drop-off.

Off-ice, Foligno makes just as significant of an impact. Moving away from the captaincy in Ohio must have been hard for the Jackets legend, but his leadership hardware would be valuable to any franchise. Winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2016-17 now gives the Toronto Maple Leafs two former recipients with Wayne Simmonds receiving the honor in 2018-19.

With the clear fit on and off the ice, let’s take a look at how Sheldon Keefe’s lineup configuration may look like with Foligno in the fold.