Finding Foudy: Could the Nashville Predators Waiver Pickup Pay Off?
The Predators made their first addition of their season by picking up Liam Foudy on the waiver wire. The former first-rounder is in town and waiting for his chance to get into the lineup for the Predators.
Foudy found himself on the outside looking in of a Blue Jackets roster in transition. Back in 2018, the Blue Jackets snagged him with the 18th overall pick, taking a calculated risk on the player.
Foudy was a speedster but seemed to lack an overall hockey sense or any other elite-level skills. After being drafted by the Jackets, Foudy had his best year with the London Knights, with 62 games resulting in 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points. After that, he jumped into the professional ranks and performed well in the AHL, but never found solid NHL footing with the Blue Jackets.
He recorded 2 games (1 point) in the 2019-2020 season, 24 in the 2020-2021 season (4 points), just one game in the 2021-2022 season, and then 62 last season for an injury-ravaged and cellar-dwelling Blue Jackets team. He recorded 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. He was a -26 on the year and also posted 8 penalty minutes.
What’s the Potential Reward for Nashville Predators & Foudy?
So after a less-than-impressive start to his career, why would the Predators take a chance on Liam Foudy?
There are a few reasons. One is that he’s signed through next season. A cheap former first-round pick doesn’t come around every day, so it is worth trying to snag one for $775K for the next two seasons and having him be an RFA after that.
The other is that Foudy fits in the Brunette system. With his speed and willingness to shoot for a bottom-six player, Foudy is an easy plug-and-play option if there is an injury to the forward core, or if someone needs to miss a game for any reason.
At 6’2 ” and around 190 pounds, Foudy has a bigger body and if he’s feeling his career slip away, he’s got the size to throw around his weight a bit.
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On a smaller level, Foudy had three other things going for him. He’s previously played with Gustav Nyquist (back in Columbus), is very good friends with Luke Evangelista (the two go back to the London Knights together), and is a very big country music fan.
Foudy has every reason to feel at home in Nashville and want to make a go of his time here. Let’s see what he does with the opportunity.