Foligno aims to take giant leap with Wild

ST. PAUL, MINN. Marcus Foligno has left the leap behind in Buffalo.

That doesn’t mean his offensive production can’t or won’t continue to rise in Minnesota.

Coming off a career-best 13 goals for the Sabres, the 25-year-old was acquired by the Wild to bring some needed grit and strength to the left wing on the third or fourth line. He’s capable of putting the puck in the net, too, though he has been a sporadic scorer in the NHL.

“Definitely, 20 goals is something I envision myself to reach, and I hope to do that in a Wild jersey,” Foligno said. “Playing with some big centremen, playing on a well-rounded team, I think I can do that.”

Foligno was acquired with right winger Tyler Ennis and a thirdround draft pick next year from the Sabres for right wing Jason Pominville and defenceman Marco Scandella, the only significant move made by the Wild this summer. General manager Chuck Fletcher said he’d been pursuing the 6-3, 230-pound Foligno for two years.

Foligno had his inconsistencies during five-plus seasons in Buffalo, but his 2016-17 performance was promising.

“It’s great for the confidence. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Foligno said Friday, his first appearance in Minnesota since the swap. “You’ve got to realize that Buffalo traded you, but you’re going to a team that really, really wants you and wants you to succeed. I’m put in a great position now.”

Foligno’s family is a small hockey factory. His older brother Nick is a 10-year NHL veteran and captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets. His father Mike tallied 247 goals over 15 seasons in the NHL. His goal celebration was a two-legged leap, a move Foligno adopted once he arrived in the league in the same city where his dad’s career took off.

The next time Foligno scores a goal, however, he’ll settle for a simpler move.

“I’ve just got to put the puck in the net and put my hands up. That’s how I’ve got to make sure I do it,” Foligno said. “If I do that 20 times, it’s a good thing.”