The Chicago Blackhawks organization has been fortunate to have veteran Nick Foligno in the lineup. In his second season with the team, he earned the Captain’s “C” and wears it proudly for the original-six team.
But nothing is set in stone for the Blackhawks who are undergoing a youth movement, as more star prospects arrived in Chicago this week, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel. A sign that any Blackhawksveteran’s time may be ending in the organization.
However, instead of worrying about the future with the Blackhawks, he’s worried about the game tonight against the Colorado Avalanche and wants to win no matter what.
Serving as the team’s motivator, has been a part of the team since the 2023-2024 season and signed a two-year deal with GM Kyle Davidson.
«Honestly, I’ve never looked at it like, ‘Oh, I’d love to be a part of this down the road,’» he said on Tuesday, in a locker room suddenly bursting at the seams with players nearly young enough to be Foligno’s sons. «I’m proud to be a part of this right now. I knew what I signed up for when I got here. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking and sometimes it’s frustrating, but then there’s the reward at the end. That’s what I want to make sure these young guys understand.”
He’s been fortunate enough to see the Blackhawks through two years of a rebuild, and now that 1st-round picks Frank Nazar, Kevin Korchinski, and Oliver Moore will be playing a game together since the 2022 draft date.
You have to wonder if Foligno’s days are numbered?
Foligno knew what he was in for when he signed on the dotted line for the Blackhawks, and that’s to help impart wisdom to teammates, instill the kind of discipline they need on the ice, and build them into a winning group.
It’s been his main motivator the last two years in Chicago. Now we could see the final product soon with Kyle Davidson promoting prospects into Rockford and Chicago.
«I’d love to be here to reap the benefits, but it’s not about me at this point,» he said. «I’m not looking at it for myself. I’m looking at it for this group. And if it’s not with me around, I’m going to be pretty damn proud sitting back on my rocking chair watching this team go in the next few years, knowing that I had a small part in it.»
