Upon his trade to Columbus, Nick Foligno said his top priority was getting a new contract worked out with the Blue Jackets.
Next step: take the nearest red pen and cross that item off the list. Foligno signed a three-year contract with the Blue Jackets this morning, ensuring that Scott Howson's latest trade acquisition is going to be in the union blue through the 2014-15 season. The deal is worth a total of $9.25 million over the three-year term, breaking down to $2.5 million in 2012-13, $3 million in 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15.
The Blue Jackets targeted Foligno because of his versatility and what they believe is burgeoning offensive potential. The Buffalo, N.Y. native can play all three forward positions and bounced around from the top line to the third line in Ottawa, proving that regardless of where he was slotted in the lineup, he was able to contribute and make a positive impact on the team.
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If you've read through the photo gallery update, I apologize in advance for this quick recap of what went down this morning.
For starters, I woke up way too early (I'm not the rosiest of morning people, you could say) and headed downtown to follow Ryan Murray along on his first local radio tour in Columbus.
Our first stop was CD 102.5FM over in the Brewery District for an appearance with Joe Jewett and the Morning Show. Joe was great as usual, and Murray got the chance to tell the story of his draft weekend and the nervous feeling before getting selected. Murray also talked about his fondness for Neil Young and how he's taken up playing the guitar in the past couple of years.
We hopped in the car and drown down Front St. to QFM 96, where Murray jumped on with Arch & Elliot's morning show -- selfishly, it's one of my favorites. Arch asked Murray about the draft weekend and his hometown of White City, Saskatchewan, which Murray said isn't nearly as hot and humid as this week in Columbus (this guy echoes that). Finally, before we left, the guys talked Murray into playing a few chords on the guitar. It was awesome.
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We'll start today's first update with a recap of what has gone on so far. It was an early start for me (I somehow managed) as I tagged along with Ryan Murray during his first-ever Columbus radio tour. He visited the morning shows at CD 102.5FM, QFM96 and WCOL to talk the NHL draft, his first experiences in Columbus, and of course -- some country music and his love for Neil Young.
Thanks to a few cups of coffee and the uplifting smell of fresh ice in the OhioHealth Ice Haus, I made it through the morning and got some really good stuff from the Blue Jackets prospects today.
Here's a collection of photos from the radio tour, and this morning's on-ice fitness testing.
Check out the photo gallery here >>
One of the highlights of this year's Blue Jackets development camp has been getting to know the prospects and get some insight into their personalities. Let's face it: at the root of it all, these are still 18-20 year old kids who have a ton of interests outside of hockey, and finding out more about those interests is a really fun part of the week.
In case you haven't heard, Blue Jackets goalie prospect Oscar Dansk (31st overall, 2012 draft) is an active tweeter and likes to see what other people are doing using his Twitter app. He's also on Instagram -- oscardansk -- so make sure to add him to your feed and check out the pictures he's uploading from wherever his feet land.
We're going to feature some Q-and-A sessions with the guys throughout the week focusing on Twitter: what do you like about it, how would you make it better, any memorable moments? All that and more is on the way, but let's cut to the chase and get the details on Oscar's tweetography.
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Happy birthday, America.
Ok sorry - had to get that out of the way first. It's been an awesome day at Nationwide Arena and the OhioHealth Ice Haus, and it began early this morning with an intense goaltenders-only workout led by Blue Jackets goaltending coach Ian Clark.
Clark gathered Oscar Dansk, Anton Forsberg, Martin Ouelette and Joonas Korpisalo for a steady diet of shots, skating and competitive drills in a strictly-netminder setting, allowing some valuable education time for both the coach and his pupils. With two young goalies just joining the ranks at the 2012 NHL Draft, it was an opportunity to get to know the players further, and introduce them to their peers between the pipes.
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We had the chance to chat with Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson shortly after the first day of development camp wrapped up at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. Let's kick off today's blog -- and there's lots more to come -- with Howson's meeting with the media.
The following is the transcript of Howson's media session:
On seeing Springfield coach Brad Larsen in action for the first time:
"Everything we do has a purpose to it, and a lot of these players that you see here today will be playing in Springfield at some point. Some will be playing there this year, so it's a good way for our coaches to get acclimated and our players to get acclimated with the coaches."
On Chris Clark's role with the team:
"He's going to be a great addition to our staff. He has great experience and the more he gets to know these players, both on the ice professionally and personally, the better."
Read more of Howson's comments here >>
RIMER'S RECAP: Blue Jackets television play-by-play man Jeff Rimer reports from the OhioHealth Ice Haus, recapping the first day of development camp on JacketsTV.
PHOTOS: Here are some photos from today's on-ice workouts during Blue Jackets development camp:
Post-practice bike flush to get all the lactic acid out. Good idea...
We spotted Ryan Johansen taking a quick breather during drills.
Maybe part of it had to do with the scorching summer temperatures outside before Red, White and Boom, but it felt great to be back inside the OhioHealth Ice Haus this afternoon.
The Blue Jackets' top prospects had a chance to fly in yesterday, have dinner as a group and take part in some off-ice workouts all before the 3 p.m. hour on Tuesday, leaving one thing left to do in order to officially kick off the camp: lace up the skates and get out on the ice.
Led by newly-appointed Springfield Falcons head coach Brad Larsen, his assistant Nolan Pratt and Blue Jackets player development coach Chris Clark, the full group (including four goaltenders) took the ice in front of a lively crowd at the Ice Haus. On one side of the ice, 2012 draft picks Oscar Dansk and Joonas Korpisalo manned the pipes, and on the other end, Martin Ouelette and Anton Forsberg (2010) shared duties in goal.
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