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Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno makes his feelings known on mentoring 'ultra-competitive' $13,350,000 center

Modified Dec 21, 2024 17:49 GMT

37-year-old forward Nick Foligno was named the 35th captain in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks before the 2024-2025 season. Foligno's leadership has always been important as a veteran player on a rebuilding team, that's even more the case now that he wears the C.

2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard has had massive expectations placed on him at such a young age. The 19-year-old had a strong rookie season with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games. The production has not come as easily this season, as Bedard sits at 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 33 games.

Bedard has shown frustration on and off the ice at times to begin the campaign. His captain Nick Foligno was asked about what he's seen from Bedard in their time together in Chicago when on the "WhatChaosShow."

"He's just ultra-competitive," Foligno said. "Like, he really does want to be the best, and it p*sses him off when he's not. So he's not like, you know, looking for always, it's not always rainbows and butterflies for him, where he's like, I want to I'm mad right now. I didn't, I didn't have him as many points that, like our team didn't win, or I'm frustrated with this. So he's, he's never, he's always looking to improve, I find."

Foligno is trying to help Bedard, who is on a three-year, $13.350 million deal, positively channel his competitiveness.

"But there is a way of doing that. Like, I think that's what I'm trying, we're trying to teach him as an older guy, you're like, hey, you know, if your game's not here, then make sure you're doing this right.

"And I think he's learning that now, like, alright, my game's got to be solid on the defensive side or so I'm not hurting the team. And then when the opportunity does come to make a play, I'm there. I can do it and it helps us. So that's where he's going through it. I'm no different from him myself. I mean, just like, I said, more magnified, because it's him." (8:50)

Nick Foligno and the Blackhawks have yet to turn the corner in their rebuild

Nick Foligno and the Blackhawks are currently 30th in the NHL with a record of 12-19-2 (26 points). While Chicago wasn't expected to be a playoff team this season, they certainly would have liked to see more improvement in the standings.

It's become apparent that the struggles to produce and constant losing have started to take a toll on Connor Bedard. It's up to the Blackhawks to put together a better roster around Bedard to prevent the losing from continuing.

Nick Foligno and the Blackhawks are back in action today in Calgary where they'll face the Flames (15-11-7) at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The puck drops at 4 p.m. EST.