For the Chicago Blackhawks, the trade deadline on March 6 might seem like it was ages ago, but 11 days later, it’s a reminder about how not long ago it really was.
Especially, when the trade deadline included saying goodbye to their captain, Nick Foligno, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild. On March 17, Foligno returned to the United Center as a visitor, in a morning filled with memories and gratitude.
Foligno’s Impact on Blackhawks
You will hear both sides of the story with the Blackhawks facing the Wild. One where Foligno’s former Blackhawks teammates couldn’t be happier for the 38-year-old, who was “everything on this team,” as Teuvo Teräväinen once said. As he gets a chance to chase the Stanley Cup with his brother, Marcus.
Then, there’s the other side. The competitiveness in the room, chasing a win despite the emotions.
I asked Landon Slaggert about facing Foligno,
“Yeah, it’s definitely going to be weird. He actually swung down before our morning skate and said hi to everyone, which was awesome. And, obviously, he was such a big part of this room, this organization, so to see him wearing another sweater is definitely going to be weird and be out there. But they’ll definitely be some chirps thrown back and forth, I’m sure. So obviously, we’re super excited for him. Hopefully, they can make a run here, and it would be awesome for him to get a Cup. But tonight, I think it’s our job to try and shut him down. So no, it’ll be cool to be out there on the ice against him, though.”
Head coach Jeff Blashill mentioned that Foligno had dinner with some of his teammates yesterday (March 16). Per Joe Smith of The Athletic, they went to LÝRA, and Connor Bedard paid the bill.
When Foligno was asked about the dinner, he replied, “It was nice… It’s typical- all the married guys with kids couldn’t make it, and all the young guys were there. So, free meal, right? [jokingly]. Yeah, but it was nice. Nice to see the guys. Obviously, it’s such a rush when you get traded. Especially on a game day, you’re trying to stay out of their way, and so it was nice to say goodbye in a way. Just catch up and see how things have been, and, you know, I’ve obviously made it known how much I care about this group. So it was nice to see those guys and catch up a little bit.”
There is a lot to be said about Foligno’s time with the Blackhawks. He was included as part of the Taylor Hall trade in June 2023 and was named the 36th Captain in Blackhawks’ history the following season. Everyone loved him in the Blackhawks locker room. In three seasons with the Blackhawks, he had 83 points in 189 games. He was all-in on making his team and teammates better. He was a mentor to a young group that needed it during the rebuild. He was the “team dad.”
As Blashill said about his impact, “I think, you know, as a credit to him, his impact, although it’s missed, he did a great job of, I think, helping our guys be prepared for the moment when he wasn’t here, in a sense that, I think, he helped foster leadership. I think he helped, you know, whether it be through great example, whether it be through conversations with guys…”
Foligno had a similar sentiment about the Blackhawks’ direction. When asked if it was one of his hardest goodbyes, “Yes and no. I mean, leaving Columbus after so many years was tough too, but, you know, this one, just because you see what’s coming, right? I think I’m excited about what this group’s [becoming] because it’s the maturity of some of the players, the growth of some of the players, and I’m excited to see where it goes. So I think I leave proud and, you know, in anticipation of what’s to come, right? So that was hard to say goodbye to, because you almost want to be here for those moments when they get it, when they figure it out. And they’re going to. So that was probably the hardest thing…”
Related: Sacha Boisvert Signs Entry-Level Contract With Blackhawks
Foligno continued, “And you really liked the direction things were going, right? We’ve been through a couple tough years, and, like, I made comment of it- when Blash got here, he really set the standard- him and the coaching staff of what we’re trying to do and become, and I think the guys have followed suit. So it was fun to be a part of that. But, yeah, it’s special being back, and being able to see what these guys are going to be able to do, but also knowing, like, I’m fully committed to what I’m doing here now, right? And that’s my job to give these guys everything I have, and I think they know that that’s where my heart is right now, and I’m excited about that opportunity.”
Foligno’s Return to the United Center
Foligno also said on returning to the United Center so soon after the trade, “It’s definitely weird. Just felt natural to walk in that other room, probably more than anything. You know, maybe it’s nice in a way to kind of rip the Band-Aid off a little bit with just coming back, but lots of emotions. Listen, I’m so thankful for my time here and what it’s meant to me and my family and the people that we’ve come to know on and off the ice. So, it’s kind of special that I get to kind of come back here this quick, and celebrate in a way, with them, and be able to thank the fans and all the organization for believing in me, and, you know, as hard as maybe a couple of the parts of the seasons were, I loved my time here, and absolutely cherish being in the leadership role that I was. But also just with the group of guys, and the staff, and playing for this organization. It’s one of the premier organizations in the league, and it was special to be able to be part of it.”
And as far as the chirping goes that Slaggert mentioned, Foligno is 100 percent expecting it.
Foligno joked, “Oh, yeah. But it’s like, you know, them chirping their dad. So, they can’t give too much before they get out of line, and I’ll have to smack them back into it. [smiles] No, it’ll be awesome. You know, at the end of the day, I got a job to do for this team now, and they got a job to do as well. So, I think they know me well enough when the puck drops, I’m pretty serious out there, so there won’t be as many smiles as probably a normal game, but, yeah, I’m looking forward to just being out there with them and battling against them, and we got to get a big win here tonight for our group, and get going here.”
Classic Foligno. Full of heart and one that the Blackhawks miss, but one they also look forward to facing. After all, he helped instill what they know, and they are better for his time in Chicago.
As Blashill noted, “I know that I feel this as a coach, and I think you feel it as a veteran player, and certainly someone in his status- you want to leave the program in a better spot than when you got it, and he certainly did that.”
