This perspective introduces discussions about the team's leadership in the coming seasons, as they've been left without a captain since Toews left.
Foligno's experience and leadership qualities position him as a likely candidate for the captaincy, especially during the Blackhawks' transitional phase.
If the team aims for playoff contention in the 2025-26 season, having Foligno as captain could pave the way for Bedard to assume the leadership role in the subsequent season and beyond.
The contract extension not only cements Foligno's role on the team but also triggers intriguing discussions about the Blackhawks' future leadership.