Nick Foligno knows he must be part of the solution.
He's got seven goals on the season – yes, seven – through 42 games. That's not enough for a guy counted on to be a top-six forward, one who's making $5.5 million per season.
The Blue Jackets' offensive woes have been timed with the sudden losses of Alexander Wennberg, Cam Atkinson, Ryan Murray and Brandon Dubinsky to injuries; while a few of those guys weren't having the best years offensively, their presence in the lineup allowed the Blue Jackets to roll four lines and stay on the attack.
Since the forward group has been depleted and forced some players to play out of position, John Tortorella has changed their style to help limit the number of chances they're giving up. So far, so good, but the offense hasn't come around. It's contributed to a stretch in which the Blue Jackets have lost five of six away from Nationwide Arena and haven't been that much better at home.
Foligno said he reminded the team on Saturday that, despite a bit of a struggle right now, this Blue Jackets team has the pieces to make a run in the playoffs – and their focus should be on piling up points to make sure they get there.
"What's said between us, I'll keep (to myself)," Foligno said. "We're a good team in here and we're working toward everyone getting (going) and making sure we move this thing forward. There's no question that guys know that and feel that; this is the way we need to play in order to get ourselves righted and wait for some guys to get healthy again.
"You can't get down. I know it hasn't gone our way a couple of these (recent) games, but you just got to find a way to keep pushing through."
Foligno was asked if, in light of him talking to the team about pushing ahead and staying positive, those words are particularly true for him as he fights through a slump.
"I'm the leader of this hockey club, so I think it resonates more with me than anyone," Foligno said. "I have to keep going about my business the right way and doing the things that are going to allow me to have success. I have full confidence in my abilities once that happens."
From the sounds of things, Foligno's chat with the team wasn't pre-meditated, but more of a right-place-right-team situation where he felt it appropriate to address what was on his mind. He's often made mention (when discussing his role as a captain) that he comes from a family of honest people, and that character trait serves him well as a leader. When it's time to speak up, he's ready to do it.
"When I feel like I need to say something, I will. It doesn't really matter what scenario or situation," Foligno said. "If I have something on my heart, I'm going to talk about it and I'm going to say it. It's how I'm built as a person and it's always been the case."
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