No chance Foligno ends up back in Columbus. Zero space for him and he specifically has a 16 team no trade list so he can block any of the non-playoff teams. Boston is either gonna have to find a contender to take him, keep him or buy him out.

Columbus has 16mil in cap with only 2 free agents, I don’t think they’d be opposed to taking on cap dumps to pick up some assets. I went through the league though and figured there’s a chance Columbus might not be on his no trade list—there was a lot of speculation that he would return to them in free agency after being traded to the leafs. I don’t think it’s off the table for him to be open to going back. Although it would be a scummy thing to do, bruins could also leverage the situation by telling him he can choose between waiving for a non-playoff team with the space to take him or Providence. And he would certainly not choose Providence.

dk means there is no physical room for him. Jackets have like 18-20 NHL ready forwards, and he's not a better choice than any of them in his age 35 season. He can come back to sign a one day contract to retire a Blue Jacket, but there is zero chance of Columbus taking him on in any other capacity.

The issue is not cap space, it's roster space. Columbus has 17 forwards going into camp that need NHL time this year and 3-4 additional forwards for injury replacements. Foligno does nothing but take an opportunity away from someone like Johnson, Chinakhov or Foudy while also confusing the new leadership direction. He's a non-consideration for their roster from the Columbus end. He is also clearly looking to win a cup which is why he went to Boston at Bergeron's suggestion. Again, that 16 team no trade list is indicative of his desire to be in the playoffs. Columbus is at best a maybe for the playoffs this upcoming year so they won't be on his list.

The problem with trying the McDonagh approach is that Foligno will not be getting claimed by a non-playoff team. McDonagh had trade value to any team that claimed him since they wouldn't be in the desperate cap situation that the Lightning were, so they could wait to find a trade partner. Foligno would be getting waived because he isn't good and if he ends up in Providence he's still going to count for over $3 mil against the Bruins cap. The Bruins options are trade to a contender, keep him or buy him out like I said.