Leadership was a notable question entering the offseason for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews is not returning on a new contract and has announced he is taking this season off. Now, it's up to a makeshift group of veterans to serve as the leadership and examples for the youth on the roster.
Reports before preseason indicated that Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, Corry Perry, and Nick Foligno would be a part of the leadership group. Although the report was never concrete, Monday's news solidifies the specifics for that group.
According to Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson, Seth Jones and Connor Murphy will serve as permanent alternate captains this season. As for Foligno and Perry, they will rotate wearing the 'A' this season.
At the beginning of last season, Jones and Murphy shared the same responsibility split that Foligno and Perry will have this season. Jonathan Toews was still captain and Patrick Kane was the permanent alternate entering 2022-23. Now, the familiar faces join the permanent group of leadership while the newcomers share the split duties.
If the split for Foligno and Perry is home/road, respectively, then the three captains for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh will be Jones, Murphy, and Perry. Foligno will wear a letter for the first time this season when the team opens at home on Oct. 21 against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Vegas Golden Knights.
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