Before his trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Canada Day, Nick Foligno was staring at the possibility of a long, drawn-out summer of contract negotiations with the Ottawa Senators.

But it didn’t take long for the Blue Jackets to lock up the left winger to a new deal. Foligno signed a three-year, $9.15 million contract with the Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Foligno, 24, who scored 15 goals and 32 assists last season with the Senators, was acquired by Columbus in a trade for defenceman Marc Methot.

Foligno will make $2.5 million next season, $3 million in 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15. He had made $1.55 million last season with the Senators. Foligno’s salary cap hit is now $3.050 million.

Interestingly, in financial terms, Foligno and Methot are almost dead even.

Methot, who is expected to battle for a top four spot on the Senators blueline – and possibly serve as a defence partner for star Erik Karlsson – has an almost identical salary.

Methot has three years and $9 million remaining on his contract. Methot will make $2.75 million next season, $3.25 million in 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15. His salary cap hit is $3 million.