Former Bruins Forward Embracing Big Role With Blackhawks
This former Bruins forward is finding great success with the Blackhawks this season.
Right before the start of the 2023 NHL Free Agency, the Boston Bruins were forced to trade Taylor Hall and then-pending UFA Nick Foligno to the Chicago Blackhawks to free up cap space. However, instead of testing free agency, Foligno signed a one-year, $4 million contract, confirming that the veteran forward would officially play for the Blackhawks in 2023-24.
Fast forward to February, and this trade has been a very impactful one for Chicago. While Hall's season, unfortunately, came to an end in November due to a knee injury that required surgery, Foligno has been a home run of an addition for them.
Foligno, 36, is producing pretty well offensively for Chicago, posting 10 goals and 19 points in his first 44 games with the club. He also has made a major difference with his physicality, as his impressive 102 hits effectively display. However, his greatest value has come from his outstanding leadership.
Foligno has become a marvelous mentor for top rookie Connor Bedard and the rest of the Blackhawks' young players. Having a grizzled veteran with experience as an NHL captain has worked out beautifully for the Blackhawks, and it's exactly why Foligno earned a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the club earlier this season.
Now, with Foligno signed past this season, he will continue to be a key veteran on the Blackhawks' roster as they aim to push forward during their rebuild. Having a hard-working and classy player like him during Bedard's first NHL seasons is a real gift, and it will be great to see how 'Uncle Nick' continues to perform for the club from here. Perhaps sporting the 'C' for Chicago could be on the table for him, too.
The Bruins certainly miss him in their bottom six.
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