Columbus Blue Jackets trade defenceman Marc Methot to Ottawa for winger Nick Foligno

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded defenceman 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 defence 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 defenceman 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.