Cal Foote

February 2023 – Foote has been acquired by the Nashville Predators alongside draft picks in exchange for winger Tanner Jeannot. The right-handed defenseman has played just 26 games this season, scoring three points. Curtis Rines

November 2019 – Cal Foote was returned to Syracuse for the start of the 2019-2020 season and has continued his steady style of play with the Crunch in the AHL. Through 18 games played, the former 14th Overall Pick in 2017 has one goal and seven points for the Crunch, which ranks second on the team among defensemen. Foote’s scoring pace is down from a season ago, however, his discipline has improved while also remaining a solid defender. His NHL shot may not come this season, however, Cal still projects optimistically as a potential top-four NHL defenseman. Brandon Holmes

March 2019 – Foote has been eased into his rookie year in the AHL with Syracuse and has been given more and more responsibility as the season has progressed. Foote has been rock solid for the Crunch and rarely looks distressed while he is on the ice. He has been able to transfer his two-way ability to the AHL as he has tallied nine goals and 26 points in 65 games. Foote’s poise with the puck on his stick and awareness in his own zone makes him appear mature beyond his years and has experienced little turmoil during his transition to the AHL, which leads me to believe he will be a top candidate to take a spot on Tampa’s defense in 2019-2020. Brandon Holmes

October 2018 – Foote is off to a good start in his first season with the Syracuse Crunch. In his first game, Foote registered a shot and an assist. He was a late cut from Tampa Bay’s camp with speculation he may make the team. Being a big-bodied, big-moment defender, he should be on your radar for NHL action this year. Should there be an extended injury in Tampa, Foote is poised for a promotion. Jordan Deshane

April 2018 – The Kelowna Rockets were the first team to be eliminated from the WHL playoffs this spring, falling in a 4-0 sweep. Foote finished the series with a minus-5 rating, and accumulated five assists and a single goal throughout the four games, being awarded the first star honors in a 9-7 thwomping. Shortly after being eliminated from playoff contention the Lightning inked Foote to his entry level contract at max cap hit plus an additional $500,000 in potential performance bonuses. There is a chance that he will sign an amateur tryout contract with the Syracuse Crunch yet this season, allowing him to get into some AHL action prior to hanging up his skates for the summer. Brayden Olafson

March 2018 – Foote has led the Kelowna Rockets to a second place finish in the B.C. division of the WHL this season. The Rockets captain finished the year with 70 points in just 60 games played, good for sixth among WHL defenders, and second in terms of points per game, trailing only Moose Jaw’s Kale Clague. This week, Foote was presented with the honors of being a First-Team All-Star in the Western Conference, as well as he Bill Hunter Trophy for the best defenseman in the WHL. The accolades speak to why Steve Yzerman held such a tight grip on Foote throughout his trade negotiations with the Rangers and others alike. Foote joins a spotty list of first-round picks to win the Bill Hunter award over the years, which includes names such as Derrick Pouliot (8th overall in 2012), and Jonathon Blum (23rd overall in 2007). Bolts fans will certainly be looking at the other names on the list, however, which include Tyson Barrie, Ivan Provorov and Dion Phaneuf. Brayden Olafson

January 2018 – One of the seven youngsters representing Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championships, Foote was also one of the Canadians’ most reliable defenders. Paired up, primarily with returning defender and 2016 13th overall selection Jake Bean, the duo provided a steadfast and assertive wall for the competition. Foote will be credited with one of the top plays of the tournament – a diving glove save off of the goal line which was simply one of the most obvious examples of the blueliners’ excellent sense of awareness and instinctiveness that led to him being drafted earlier than expected in 2017. After being awarded the gold medal, Foote has returned to Kelowna where he’ll rejoin Canada’s captain Dillon Dube on the WHL’s Western Conference leading Rockets squad. The Rockets have yet to make any major acquisitions leading into the WHL’s January 10th trade deadline but should remain competitive in the West, regardless. Brayden Olafson

October 2017 – Foote didn’t stand much of a shot to crack the Lightning lineup this fall, especially considering the heavy depth that they already have battling for a regular spot in the lineup. The new Kelowna Rockets captain has made a splash, however, in his return to junior, tallying eight points in his first three games back. He’s been dangerous on the power play with Canuck second-round-pick, Kole Lind who leads the Rockets’ in scoring. There is no doubt that his current scoring pace is unsustainable, however, Foote is showing an offensive flare that wasn’t as evident prior to being drafted. The Rockets look to be a contender in the WHL’s Western Conference and Foote should remain at the forefront. If he can continue producing at half of his current rate it will be an improvement from his last campaign which will surely accelerate his Lightning development timeline. Brayden Olafson

July 2017 – With the 14th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning selected right-shot defenseman, Callan Foote, son of former Avalanche defenseman, Adam. After bolstering the Lightnings defensive prospect depth on the left side with the acquisition of Mikhail Sergachev, Yzerman looked to the right. The December-born defender possesses exemplary hockey sense, which, in some cases he is forced to use in order to compensate for his oafish skating ability. At 6-foot four-inches, Foote wears a size-sixteen skate, which would almost certainly provide a hindrance to overcome for any player. Typically a two-way style defender, Foote can be seen making plays to pinch and hold the offensive zone regularly. That being said, Foote is fully conscious of the current inaptitude in his own skating to know when and when not to do so. Foote reeks of NHL capability though, and will solidify a position of confidence for the Bolts. Foote will spend another season developing with The Kelowna Rockets of the WHL before making a transition to professional hockey. Brayden Olafson

May 2017 – Cal Foote is a chip off the old block as the son of NHL great defenseman Adam Foote. Like his dad, Cal plays a solid, physical, defense first type of game. Foote has great size and strength to play a hard-nosed game; he skates well and always makes very good decisions in terms of puck reads and positioning. Foote and his younger brother look to to be the next in a long line of defense studs to come out of the Kelowna Rockets system. He projects to be a very safe pick but outside of his peripheral stats in hits and blocks will have lower fantasy value than NHL value. Foote does posses some offensive ability, he can skate the puck out of the zone to create offence and occasionally joins the rush. He has a heavy shot and can play the point on the power play.. Peter Harling