Shortly before Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Chicago Blackhawks finally received some positive injury news. Captain Nick Foligno is healthy enough to return to the lineup and has been activated off injured reserve.
Foligno, 38, has been out since Nov. 15 with a hand injury, which forced him to miss 19 games. The Blackhawks struggled mightily without their captain, going 5-12-2 in his absence.
In 15 games this season, Foligno has recorded six assists and added 41 hits, which is still fourth-most on the team despite missing over one month. His physicality has been much needed on a team that lacks size in its forward group. Foligno also regularly plays on the penalty kill, and his return gives the Blackhawks’ fourth-ranked unit another defensive standout to work with.
Foligno’s veteran leadership has been sorely missed over the last few weeks, as the Blackhawks have a shoddy 3-8-1 record in 12 games during December. There haven’t been many answers to the current issues inside the locker room, but Foligno’s return should provide a calming presence to the young and inexperienced group.
The captain is back! #Blackhawks have activated Nick Foligno off injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game against the Penguins.
Foligno has been out since Nov. 15 with a hand injury. The Hawks went 5-12-2 in 19 games without him.
Frank Nazar goes on IR retroactive to Dec. 20. pic.twitter.com/Z808YZl4Sb
— Jack Bushman (@JackBushman2) December 28, 2025
Head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Foligno will draw into the lineup against the Penguins on Sunday. He’ll likely skate on the third or fourth line.
The Blackhawks also placed forward Frank Nazar on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 20, when he took a puck to the face against the Ottawa Senators. Nazar is expected to be out for approximately one month due to the injury.
While the Blackhawks are still without Nazar and Connor Bedard, at least the forward group is starting to get healthier with Foligno’s return. Hopefully, Nazar and Bedard will follow suit in the coming weeks.
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