COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded defenseman Marc Methot to the Ottawa Senators for left wing Nick Foligno.
Foligno, a restricted free agent, is coming off a season in which he set career highs in assists (32), points (42) and penalty minutes (124).
Earlier on Sunday, the Blue Jackets signed veteran goaltender Curtis McElhinney to a two-year NHL-American Hockey League contract.
The trade for Foligno underscores general manager Scott Howson’s belief that he has reinforced the defense through trades that brought blue-liner Jack Johnson and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and now must focus on adding scoring.
Methot was considered one of Columbus’ top defenseman since joining the team in 2006-07. He had seven goals and 44 assists along with 208 penalty minutes in 275 career games with the club.