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Blackhawks Captain Reunites With Brother In Trade to Wild
Main Photo: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Nick Foligno will be joining his brother, Marcus, in Minnesota via trade. Chicago is doing Foligno a solid here, as the 38-year-old will get another chance to chase the Stanley Cup with the Wild. This is purely a favour done for Foligno, as Chicago will not receive any assets in return, just future considerations. A very nice gesture from the Chicago organization.

Minnesota Builds Culture In Yet Another Deadline Move

Wild general manager Bill Guerin has been busy, to say the least. This move reads as a culture-building trade to gain some veteran leadership in the locker room for the upcoming playoff run. He has recorded three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 37 games this season. In his long career, Foligno has played in 1,270 games, recording 250 goals and 358 assists for 608 points in the process.

He will likely be a depth forward in the lineup. Therefore, maybe Guerin is trying to emulate the Brad Marchand trade that led the Florida Panthers to a Stanley Cup victory. He will be a hard-working addition to the lineup with high energy and versatility. Additionally, he was a big part of the best penalty-killing unit in the NHL in Chicago. The Minnesota Wild penalty kill sits at 22nd in the league, so Foligno could be a big help on that front.

Foligno carries a $4.5 million cap hit until the end of this season.

A New Era Dawns in Chicago

With their captain departing, it opens the floor for Connor Bedard to take the reins of the team. As they are inching closer to the end of their rebuild, it is fitting that a new leader would step in. Foligno has mentored the young players during the rebuild, and now, someone needs to lead them to success. They will part with Foligno on great terms, and all the players will wish him well in what is likely his final playoff run.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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