Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno has never been one to mince words, and with a struggling team, honesty is sometimes necessary. The Blackhawks remain stuck in a disappointing season, with a 21-41-9 record and just 51 points to their name.
While some hoped for progress, the team has, at best, remained stagnant, even if they manage to surpass last season’s 52-point total. A team sitting at 51 points after 71 games clearly has multiple issues, but Foligno may have hinted at one that has since been resolved.
In a piece by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, Foligno made another pointed remark that could have been aimed at a former player—one who wasn’t shy about voicing his opinions.
Discussing how to keep the team motivated, Foligno stated:
“That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares or a guy that’s just [motivated] when it’s convenient, right? We’re weeding out some of those things in here. We need guys who want to be a part of this. It’s not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. It’s an emotional roller coaster a lot of days. But we’re hoping we can start to solidify ourselves.”
Foligno’s Message Rings True
Anyone who has played or followed high school sports can relate to this kind of struggle. Personally, I remember watching my school’s football team go 4-26 from 2004 to 2006, and at times, I questioned why anyone would even bother playing under those circumstances.
Similarly, when looking at the Blackhawks’ situation, the question arises: Why would anyone want to play for this team?
Foligno is right—it takes a special kind of athlete to endure the challenges of playing for a rebuilding franchise. And for some, the situation may simply be too much.
This again raises the question: Was Foligno referring to Seth Jones? Earlier this month, he made comments that could have been directed at Jones, and his latest remarks seem to hint at the same thing.
Blackhawks Haven’t Improved Without Jones
Now that Jones is gone—likely heading toward a deep playoff run with the Florida Panthers—one has to wonder if his absence has helped the Blackhawks. The short answer? No. The team is still in a slump, recently enduring a seven-game losing streak.
However, just because the on-ice performance hasn’t improved doesn’t mean the team hasn’t progressed in other areas. As captain, Foligno has a unique perspective from inside the locker room, during practices, and in team interactions that outsiders don’t see.
If his comments were indeed about Jones, it suggests that removing him may have helped the team’s focus, even if it hasn’t translated into wins just yet. Chemistry on the ice takes time to develop, but if the Blackhawks are mentally sharper without Jones, then once again, Foligno deserves credit for speaking up.
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