Foligno opens up with a new start in Chicago.

«When Chicago called and started to go down the road of the possibility of going there, it just really excited me. I think it was what I needed right now in my career. The opportunity to play a little bit higher up — I feel healthy, I feel great, and I'm looking forward to that expanded role a little bit even at my age.

«But also just the direction they're headed, you know, to help build something. I kind of did that in Columbus when I first got there with a really great group of guys, and it reminds me of that a little bit. I feel like I have the blueprint. I really like the people that are in the organization, and, obviously, Connor Bedard is a special talent that I'm looking forward to playing with.»

«How many times do you really get to work with a generational talent?» Foligno said. «There's only been a few that have come into our league. I think what excites me is him off the ice. Getting to know the person behind the player and how they motivate themselves but also the areas that you can help.

«Connor's not going to be able to hide from [the spotlight] in the world we live in now,» Foligno said. «But I think how you are as a room helps you in those moments. If he knows that we all have his back, and if we know that he's loving coming to work every day and the passion is there, then all of that stuff really doesn't matter. He's enjoying just being an NHL hockey player and rolling with the team he's on. That's what I want to bring. I want to try and help a lot of great guys that we have already in that room. We got Corey Perry coming in, Taylor Hall, Seth Jones is there, Connor Murphy. There are a lot of really good players, Stanley Cup champs even, that know how to do that. I'm excited about being another piece of that and helping these young guys in understanding that that's the most important part. How tight you are as a group is going to dictate how successful we are as a team, and I hope to bring that to Chicago.»