Nick Foligno has been out of action with a hand/wrist injury since November 15, but is drawing close to a return to the team. He was spotted on the ice before practice on Tuesday, December 9 in a non-contact jersey, getting back up to speed slowly.
Foligno is set to join a bit of a crowded forward group where players are fighting for better spots in the lineup and more playing time. Teuvo Teravainen is on the third line, Ryan Donato is on the fourth line, and Landon Slaggert was just sent to the AHL.
The captain had just six assists in 15 games before getting injured, and at 38 years old, is in the last year of his deal. He is still a big use to the Chicago Blackhawks leadership-wise, but you have to think that it might be his last year in the NHL with the way production is going and the way Connor Bedard is stepping into the leadership role/elite status.
There is no rush for Foligno, but he will likely come in on the third or fourth line. With how his season has gone, the better place for him is on the fourth line over Sam Lafferty, but we'll see how things shake up once he returns to action sometime in the near future.
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