BOSTON — Nick Foligno only played two seasons with the Bruins, but the popular veteran forward, who is now with Chicago, still gets warm feelings when he comes back to TD Garden.

“I cherish my time in Boston. There are special people in that room,” Foligno said after the Blackhawks’ win on Thursday. “Special group of guys I got to play with. My only regret is not getting the job done.”

He’s talking about the Bruins’ early exit from the 2023 playoffs after entering the postseason as Presidents’ Trophy-winning favorites.

It’s only been two years since Foligno was traded to Chicago after that series. But when he returned as the captain of the Blackhawks on Thursday, there were only six players left from that team on the current Boston squad.

The Bruins’ roster and fortunes have changed so drastically since then. Patrice Bergeron, the captain of that 2022-23 team, retired and Brad Marchand, who replaced him, was traded. After finishing the regular season with the best record in the NHL that year, Boston is now near the bottom.

“It’s the reality of when you’re not where you want to be as an organization. You’re trying to find pieces and futures,” said Foligno, who is helping to lead a youth-led rebuild in Chicago. “It’s uncharted territory for that organization. They have good people leading the way, though.”

The Bruins won’t name a captain to replace Marchand until next year, but it’s expected to be either David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy, who are each an alternate captain.

Foligno endorsed both of them.

“They both have the capabilities and I don’t think either one would care who gets it,” he said. “I think that speaks volumes about them as leaders.”

As someone leading a similar rebuild, does he have any advice for his two friends?

“Be who you are. They’re so genuine, so authentic, that’s why they’re leaders,” Foligno said. “They’re great people, great players and they care about the group. When you have good people like that leading the way, good things are going to happen. I think the Boston Bruins are in good hands, especially with some of the players they have. Pasta and Charlie are two of the best.”

Pastrnak and Foligno were neighbors in Boston during their two years as teammates. Pastrnak said he spent time with Foligno in Boston on Wednesday and still looks at him as a resource.

“We obviously became very close with our families. We talk a lot. We know what kind of leader he is. He’s been doing it for many years, not just in Chicago, but going back to Columbus and even in here,” he said. “We met up yesterday. He’s a guy you learn from a lot. He’s had so many experiences and always something to give.”

Foligno, 37, has one year left on the two-year extension he signed in Chicago. The Blackhawks aren’t likely to get back to elite status during his career. But Foligno said he’s invested in his younger teammates’ success even if that peaks after he’s no longer playing.

“I heard a saying a long time ago, ‘You learn, you earn and you return.’ I think that’s a pretty beautiful way to sum up a career or a life,” he said. “I learned a lot from some really good players. I got to earn my ice time, earn a great career and be able to do a lot of good things. Now, I’m at the point in my career where I try to return that. Try to give as much knowledge as I was given. Hopefully that resonates with some guys the way it resonated with me and they have long careers like I was able to have.”

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