Nick Foligno was placed on Injured Reserve Saturday morning after engaging in a fight with New Jersey Devils defenceman Brendan Smith Friday evening. The altercation occurred in a penalty-laden game which kicked off after Smith injured star forward Connor Bedard with an open ice hit. The Blackhawks placed Foligno on injured reserve with a broken finger, along with Connor Bedard who suffered a fractured jaw.
UPDATE: We have placed Connor Bedard (fractured jaw) and Nick Foligno (fractured left finger) on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/BZ27gEkcEW
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 6, 2024
Nick Foligno Out With Broken Finger
While much of the focus will be on Bedard’s injury, Foligno’s injury is also a major hit for Chicago. Foligno is one of the more consistent forwards for the Blackhawks as the team’s fourth leading scorer. The veteran currently has eight goals and nine assists. Foligno, who is playing in his first year for the Blackhawks, also serves as an alternate captain. The veteran forward’s leadership has been on display this season, with the fight after Bedard’s injury being another case of that. Unfortunately, this time standing up for his team landed Nick Foligno on the injured reserve. Prior to his injury, the left winger suited up for all 39 of Chicago’s games this season.
Foligno Injury Latest in String of Issues for Blackhawks
Two of the Blackhawks most consistent players in Bedard and Foligno suffered injuries in the game against the Devils. That being said, the two injuries are far from Chicago’s first health issues this season. The Blackhawks currently have nine players listed on their injury reserve, including important pieces Seth Jones, Taylor Raddysh, Taylor Hall, Tyler Johnson and Andreas Athanasiou. Nick Foligno and Connor Bedard now join that list. The nine players on Chicago’s injured reserve represent $35,408,333 worth of salary. Very little has gone right for the Blackhawks during this season and the injuries they’ve faced represent a major issue.
Without Foligno and Bedard, along with the bevy of other injuries the team faces, expect the team’s season to go from bad to worse. The Blackhawks have lost their last 14 games away from home and sit last in the NHL standings. Despite this fact, Chicago was not primed to compete this season. Injuries are never good, especially ones to your top players, but the Blackhawks losing games leads to better draft odds. It is difficult to put a positive spin on Nick Foligno and Connor Bedard’s injuries. But if there are any silver linings, it’s that a worse Chicago team means better future assets. Look for Chicago to take their time with their injured stars recovery and fully commit to selling whatever assets they have for more draft capital.
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
