Who will be the Next Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks?

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Alot of today's narrative is centering around Nick Foligno as the veteran has just signed a 2 year extension (4.5 million AAV) as well as recovering from an injury suffered defending (pictured below) a hard hit on franchise center Connor Bedard. Since becoming a Blackhawk, not only has Nick Foligno seemed to endear himself to the fanbase, but he has also been a leader on the ice and in the locker room for a team in need of leadership.

Chicago Blackhawks v New Jersey Devils / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Since longtime captain Jonathan Toews left the team (has not retired) at the end of last season it was long assumed that the 2023-2024 season would see the franchise play the year without naming a captain. Not only in respect for the near 15 seasons (and 3 Stanley Cups he raised as captain) Toews led the franchise, but also in lieu of the fact that the team has almost an entirely new roster.

Foligno, wearing the "A" patch (along with Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, and Jason Dickinson) is no stranger to being a leader. For 6 seasons, Nick Foligno wore the coveted Captain's "C" on his jersey for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, at age 36 in what is likely his final stop of his career, the long time veteran (1120 games played, 542 points) is eyeing a much different objective:

Nick Foligno when asked if he'd like to be captain:

"Any guy would be honored to wear it, but that's not why you're coming here. You're coming here just to make a difference... It's something that I take a lot of pride in, being a voice in that room, but so do a lot of other…
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 13, 2024

Thank you to Ben Pope of the Suntimes for the quote. My take from all that was said today is that this is a player that will take an immense amount of pride in bringing a storied franchise (and orginial 6 member at that) back to the forefront of contention in this league. So would Nick Foligno make for an excellent captain for a young team, if only for a season or two? Absolutely he would, but should he?

A look at who could be the Blackhawks next captain:

Winnipeg Jets v Chicago Blackhawks / Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

CONNOR BEDARD

If there was a favorite for whom will be named the next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, it would be Bedard. The #1 overall selection is widely considered to be one of the best overall talents in the world and is coming into the city at the right time (just after the last of the old dynasty has moved on).

Most, me included, believed that the narrative would play out where Bedard would be named captain sometime before his second season began. Will that still happen? Perhaps, but alot has to be considered before just sewing on the patch just yet.

NICK FOLIGNO

The long time veteran has already worn the "C" for a different franchise, wears the Alternate Captain's patch for Chicago, and has been just re-signed for 2 more seasons. A big presence on this team and in the community already, seeing Foligno being named captain woulnd't come as a surprise at this point. I'd put him at the second best odds.

What about a longest tenured Blackhawk?

CONNOR MURPHY

For me this is an interesting one. Murphy has been a solid top 4 defenseman ever since he came over from Arizona in the Niklas Hjalmarsson deal. Not only that but Connor has been an outstanding member of the Chicago community as well. An outspoken proponent of participation in pride night and with a recent union to a chicago native, Murphy has put in roots as one of the most well respected athletes in the city. While his play on the ice has been up and down of late there is no denying his impact to a young roster over the seasons.

How about the highest paid player?

SETH JONES

Washington Capitals v Chicago Blackhawks / Jamie Sabau/GettyImages

In what was then and still is now a controversial acquisition, Jones has been a good player for the Chicago Blackhawks. Sure you can not like the 9.5m x 8yr deal given to him or the compensation of what would end up being Adam Boqvist, Cole Sillinger and David Jiricek however he has been nothing but solid (in my opinion) since his arrival. The multiple time all-star selection is going to be here for a long time and be a big part of the Blackhawks defense core. Already wearing the "A", Jones looks to be settling in even further into this rebuild and eventual maturation of a contending franchise.

Here is the real darkhorse for captain:

MACKLIN CELEBRINI

Boston University v Merrimack / Richard T Gagnon/GettyImages

I could list a few future top picks over the next few drafts here, but will focus in on Celebrini for now. What if the next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks isn't even on the roster? There is a good case to be made that it could be a Celebrini, Dickinson, Lindstrom, Hagens, McKenna, or another future Blackhawk. While unlikely as I think the above mentioned options will eventually play out in favor of a captain being named, there is no denying that this narrative would be an interesting one with Connor Bedard on the roster.

Who do you see being the next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks? Please comment in the feed!

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