Nick Foligno Jersey Card

It seems most of my recent posts were subconsciously leading me to this one... the Columbus Blue Jackets announced yesterday that Nick Foligno would be their new captain. The title had been vacant since Rick Nash (2008-12) was traded to the New York Rangers three years ago; the other four previous captains were Adam Foote (2005-08), Luke Richardson (2003-05), Ray Whitney (2002-03) and Lyle Odelein (2000-02).

Foligno, like his brother Marcus Foligno (obviously), is the son of former Buffalo Sabres great and captain Mike, who coached both sons with the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. Nick was a first-round draft pick, though, so he was always sort of expected to be an impact player, whereas Marcus was selected 104th overall, probably thought of more as a role player (and he's a fine one at that).

But Nick has suited up for Team USA three times - at the 2003-04 U-17 Worlds, and at the 2009 and 2010 World Championships, wearing the alternate captain's ''A'' the second time. He also played in the last All-Star Game and was named the captain of one of the two teams (partly because the game was held in Columbus), and finished with a (roughly) point-per-game average for the first time in his NHL career with 31 goals, 42 assists and 73 points in 79 games.

He signed a six-year contract extension that kicks in next year, valued at $33M and averaging $5.5M per on the cap; whether or not he replicates this year's numbers (I think he mostly will, 4 times out of 6, he's that talented and has hit his stride, but teams will concentrate on stopping him with their best checkers more), he'll be worth it as the cap increases and 5.5 starts looking like a second-liner's wage.

In the meantime, here's a look at a classic example of a (beautiful) Frankencard:

It's the dual-jersey insert version of card #72 from Upper Deck's 2013-14 Artifacts set (numbered 89/125) showing him in the Jackets' terrific alternate uniform, which features two red jersey swatches from his days with the Ottawa Senators. Still, I don't mind the clash/contrast in colours, probably because Artifacts is always a great-looking set with a simple, classy design.