Foligno a fan of Domi-Anderson swap for both Blue Jackets, Canadiens
Nick Foligno was sad to see Josh Anderson leave the Columbus Blue Jackets, but he believes the trade that sent Anderson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Max Domi will work out well for all parties.
"(Anderson's) a great player. Obviously, last year he had an injury season and couldn't find his way back, but he's a big asset," the Blue Jackets captain Monday on TSN Radio 690. "It was, I'm sure, not an easy decision for (general manager) Jarmo (Kekalainen) to make, and for all of us - we all love Josh, he's a great teammate.
"I think he's going to fit in really well there and do great things. I'm really happy that he seems to be in a place where he's excited about, and we'll miss him."
Foligno added: "It was hard to see him go, but that's the business."
The Blue Jackets and Canadiens swapped the young forwards in October. Both players were restricted free agents at the time, and both have since signed fresh deals with their new clubs. Domi inked a two-year, $10.6-million pact with Columbus, while Anderson agreed to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract with Montreal.
Domi and Anderson both enjoyed their strongest NHL season in 2018-2019: Domi set career highs in goals (28), assists (44), and points (72), while Anderson also recorded personal bests with 27 goals, 20 assists, and 47 points.
But both forwards struggled in 2019-20. Domi, 25, often found himself in a reduced role with the Canadiens and finished with 17 goals and 27 assists in 71 games; Anderson, 26, battled a shoulder injury and managed just one goal and three assists in 26 contests.
Despite Domi's lackluster performance with Montreal last season, Foligno likes what he's previously seen from the 2013 first-round pick and is expecting him to return to form with the Blue Jackets.
"I think we gained a really good player coming back in Max Domi," Foligno said. "I know things maybe didn't work out the last year for him there, but I remember his first year there (in Montreal) and how dominant he was. For him to find that footing again and get all the opportunities that he's going to get here, it could be a really, really good thing for our team."