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DETROIT — It has been a crazy last week or so for the Chicago Blackhawks, to say the least.
Corey Perry was mysteriously held away from the team while the organization conducted an internal investigation, which led to him having his contract terminated for code of conduct reasons. The Blackhawks still haven't won consecutive games, which is starting to take its toll on the group mentally. And Taylor Hall officially underwent ACL surgery on his right knee that will sideline him for the rest of the season.
The glue through it all has been Nick Foligno, who wears an 'A' on his sweater but has acted as the de-facto 'C' for the Blackhawks. I'm not sure what state this team would be in if he wasn't here.
"He's really one of the best teammates I've ever played with," Philipp Kurashev told NBC Sports Chicago. "He's been huge for our room and our team. He's so vocal, he's always talking and always helping everyone out. It's been some hard situations but he's really helped us get through it because he has so much experience. He's been awesome."
Connor Bedard will likely be Chicago's next captain. It's only a matter of when, not if. And he absolutely should be the next captain because this is now his team.
Chicago Blackhawks
But right now, there isn't a better leader for the Blackhawks to be following than Foligno, who has helped the team navigate through some muddy waters and distractions of late.
"Anytime there's ups and downs throughout a season, it's very important to have those guys or certain guys that take charge and kind of control the room and they give way," Johnson said. "Nick's done an amazing job of that. Ever since he came in, you could definitely tell he's got a leadership presence to him. I can't say enough good things about him.
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"He's done an awesome job coming in and getting to know the guys, and most of all controlling the room through good times and bad."
Said Bedard: "It's big. Not just for the young guys, but for everyone. He's been in the league for a long time and he's been on winning teams and been the captain of good teams. Hearing what he has to say and hearing what he, from his experiences, what he knows to be successful, it's good for us." Obviously for myself only playing 19-20 games in the league so far, to have somebody like that is great."
The Blackhawks have held a players-only meeting twice this season, once after a 4-2 loss to New Jersey on Nov. 5 and another shorter one after a 4-2 loss to St. Louis on Nov. 26. You'll never guess who drove most of the conversation.
"Nick probably talked the most in those meetings," Kurashev said. "It's great. We all listen to him and we all respect him and what he's done. We all just look up to him and try to follow his lead."
Foligno says the right things, strikes the right tone, and leads by example through his actions. He is as passionate as anyone about helping rebuild the Chicago Blackhawks, and he's only worn the sweater for 21 games.
"Maybe just because I talk a lot," Foligno joked when asked how he's essentially become the voice of the team. "You know what, I am who I am. That's one thing everyone probably sees. I'm not going to change. I've seen a lot in my life on and off the ice, so whatever I can help with — in a lot of ways — I'm going to do."
It's a luxury for a head coach to have a leader inside the dressing room like Foligno, who sets an example in every way possible and holds the group to a high standard.
"He's been great from Day 1, and we knew that," Richardson said. "He was great even stepping up after a game like [Tuesday] and saying some really good words to the team after the win, heartfelt and encouraging moving forward too. He's seen a lot over these years and even before that, growing up in that lifestyle with his father playing. He's perfect for the role he's in right now."
Foligno's presence, both on and off the ice, cannot be overstated. He is doing exactly what the Blackhawks brought him in to do, and then some.
In a week full of chaos, Foligno has been the stabilizing force for the Blackhawks.
"I care a lot about the players I play with and the organization I play for," Foligno said. "That's something I've always tried to do, and I'm hoping that has a trickle effect on every guy in here. It matters what we do on a day-in, day-out basis, and if you build good habits that way, on and off the ice, then it usually translates to success in the organization for yourself personally.
"I don't get caught up in it too much. Just try to be who I am and I'm lucky to go to work every day with these guys."
