Nick Foligno will finish the season on a Central Division team, but now on one with Stanley Cup aspirations. On Friday, Foligno was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are acquiring future considerations as compensation.
Wild Add Veteran For Cup Chase
The Wild are having a strong season, sitting third place in a talented Central Division. The team has not made it out of the first round since the 2014-15 season, but the organization is determined to get over the hump and then some this season.
Foligno has three goals and 11 points for the Blackhawks this season. He has served as the captain since September 2024.
For Nick, joining the Wild gives him not only the opportunity to pursue a Stanley Cup but also to play alongside his brother Marcus. Both are forwards, but it is unknown if they will play on the same line.
Related: 2026 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker
If the Wild do win the Stanley Cup this season, the Foligno brothers will be the third set of brothers to win championships in 2026. Jack and Quinn Hughes, alongside Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, won the gold medal at the Olympics last month. A pair of brothers have not won the Stanley Cup since Scott and Rob Niedermayer won with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
Blackhawks Part With Their Captain
The Blackhawks will get little in return. This trade was not about building capital and assets for the rebuild, but rather about giving their loyal captain an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. Foligno’s time as the team captain was not full of success or even playoff contending times. However, he did lead the team with determination, setting an example for the team’s youth. Foligno is appreciated in the “Windy City,” as their farewell post indicates.
Trades, Trades, and More Trades
There are only a few hours until the 2026 Trade Deadline arrives. We still anticipate many more trades, and as always, The Hockey Writers will be here to cover it all.
