The Nashville Predators claimed Liam Foudy on Saturday from Columbus.
Nashville claiming Liam Foudy from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday is a very interesting move. Foudy was often discussed in his draft year, but it seems like he has yet to find a solid fit in Columbus. He’s played roughly a full season in the NHL over the span of several seasons. In 90 NHL contests, he has 7 goals and 12 assists.
Foudy played in one game for Columbus this season, and many have speculated that Columbus was trying to sneak him down to the AHL to play for the CBJ-affiliate Cleveland Monsters. Foudy never found his footing on a rebuilding Columbus squad. In junior, he played with Luke Evangelista with the OHL’s London Knights. Nashville is most definitely a fresh start for him, and while he may not appear in the lineup immediately, he could find himself an opening in gold.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler talked about Foudy’s speed and acceleration in a recent prospect review for Columbus. “He’s a brilliant, explosive skater with world-class acceleration and top speed. Those things make him an effective forechecker, a threat to turn defenders, an option on flips out of the zone for breakaways, etc.” Wheeler goes on to explain that Foudy is not a great playmaker, so I feel like he’ll need to work with someone who plays at a very cerebral level like Jusso Parssinnen or Tommy Novak. Is he a good fit in the bottom-6? It sure feels like the bottom half of the forward corps is pretty full…guys like Phil Tomasino are surely trying to get back in the lineup, and Sammy Fagemo has only played one game for the Predators. Is it good to have too many players for 6 spots?
While Foudy is likely not “THE PLAYER” that elevates Nashville into a Cup contender, he is a nice young piece with some size (he’s 6′ 3″) who could fit into Andrew Brunette’s system flawlessly. He could be capped out as a 3rd or 4th liner, but every hockey fan understands the importance of having 4 interchangeable lines that can score, defend, and forecheck. When Foudy played for Team Canada in various World Juniors tournaments, he was an effective penalty killer. This clip shows how he utilizes his size and reach to bother opponents (in this case, Czechia) as they try to exit their zone.
In the same World Juniors tournament, Foudy put his speed on display once more with this slick goal. We can observe some solid skating mechanics and speed…Foudy can and will burn opposing defenders in this manner.
Foudy was projected as a top-six forward during his draft year and immediately after, but Nashville certainly runs the risk that Foudy is nothing more than a bottom-6 body. It’s entirely possible that his growth was stunted due to injury, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a crowded roster in Columbus. It’s up to Nashville’s coaching staff to find the right opportunities and linemates for him. Columbus never seemed to find Foudy an opening, and I expect they were hoping he’d light it up in the AHL instead. He was expendable, and now he has a chance to start over. Could Foudy be a steal or just another player in gold?
Foudy will wear #18 for Nashville. Maybe he’ll summon that “Real Deal James Neal” energy.