Respected Veteran Fed Up, Calls out Team's Young Players

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TJ Tucker
November 26, 2023 (7:34 PM)

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Nic Foligno has been around the block enough to know the Chicago Blackhawks are in the very early stages of a rebuild. That doesn't mean he doesn't have standards, though. He expects better from the younger members of the team and has no problem letting them know it.

Following a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues today, and dropping to 3-7-0 in their last 10 games, Foligno said younger players are getting an opportunity due to missing veterans, and aren't taking advantage of it.

"Twenty games in you kind of understand the league a little bit, or you should. I'm not saying it's gonna be perfect, but there's got to be a little bit more of a commitment to that."

#Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno frustrated with lack of compete early in games.
"Twenty games in you kind of understand the league a little bit � or you should. I'm not saying it's gonna be perfect, but there's got to be a little bit more of a commitment to that."� John Dietz (@JDietzSports) November 26, 2023

Foligno said Chicago's youngsters should have no problem getting and staying motivated.

"Your hair should be on fire this whole year. Because you could be a big part of building this and being a part of the future of this. There is no excuse for that."

"Every time we step on the ice, find your motivation whatever it may be. I can think about 10 [things] already and I'm a 36-year-old guy. So that should [go] through every guy in this room."

"Every time we step on the ice, find your motivation whatever it may be. I can think about 10 (things) already and I'm a 36-year-old guy. So that should through every guy in this room."� John Dietz (@JDietzSports) November 26, 2023

Again, no one expected great things from the Blackhawks this season, but Foligno has a point. You have to at least care and always put in your best effort.