Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Foligno I was just so frustrated

The Toronto Maple Leafs needed a veteran presence and leadership and acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets' captain Nick Foligno seemed like a no-brainer.

But when the son of ex-Maple Leaf Mike Foligno came over to Toronto his tenure was filled with frustration, disappointment, and a feeling of futility. Speaking to John Scott on "Dropping the Gloves" podcast, Nick Foligno gave his candid thoughts on his time in Toronto and safe to say, it wasn't exactly positive.

«You know what I was excited about in Toronto, was that I felt that I could really help, on the ice and off the ice. The culture, just to get them over the hump and have some snarl, some attitude, some personality in the room."

«That's probably the thing that really bothered me the most. I think I was just so frustrated because I knew I was really hurt. I knew how much they had invested in me and I was trying to play through it, but I was a shell of myself.»

Foligno was dealing with a severe back injury the entire season, and only contributed 4 assists in 7 games, and adding a single point in the playoffs that season. He talked about the struggles of being around the team and how he felt that he disappointed his teammates and the fans.

«I couldn't be in the room, I always in the training room in between periods. I couldn't help galvanize the team, I couldn't do what I love to do and can do, on and off the ice. Trust me, I'm sure the Toronto fans are disappointed with how it shook out, but I guarantee you I'm more disappointed and that's something you have to live with and again, that's sports man.»

While his tenure in Toronto was brief and to some a disappointment, all credit and kudos to Foligno for giving his all no matter what, and did not tarnish his 18-year career.

For his career, Foligno had 562 points (232 G, 330 A) in over 1100 NHL games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators; who drafted Foligno 28th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Previously on MapleLeafsLatest

Former coach Sheldon Keefe keeps footprint in Toronto after departure

Scotiabank Arena currently the most expensive hockey experience in the NHL

Reaching new heights: Switzerland host to "World's Highest Hockey Game"

POLL
12 AOUT \| 85 ANSWERS Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Foligno "I was just so frustrated" Could Nick Foligno have made an impact for Toronto?
Yes	27	31.8 %
No	51	60 %
If he played with Matthews	4	4.7 %
Only if he got traded again	3	3.5 %
LIST OF POLLS