The NHL released its 2026-27 schedule on Thursday and that meant it was like the Stanley Cup Finals for social media teams across the league. The Minnesota Wild, who will open against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 1, took part in the festivities with a schedule release video featuring Nick Foligno taking a road trip with his brother Marcus and his father, Mike. But it wasn’t the only release video where he was a prominent figure.
The Chicago Blackhawks saw their schedule release video as an opportunity to poke some fun at Nick, who had served as their team captain for nearly two seasons before being traded to the Wild last December. As the video rolled through Chicago while unveiling each game, it stopped at “Senior Citizen’s Memorial Park” for the Wild’s Nov. 29 trip to visit the Blackhawks.
This could have been making note that the Wild had the oldest average age in the NHL last season at 30.45 years old. But it was more likely a hello to Foligno, who will have a few chances to get revenge.
Nick Foligno’s age could be the butt of all jokes for the Wild next season
Before Foligno was traded to Minnesota, he spent nearly three seasons with the Blackhawks, tallying 35 goals and 83 assists in 189 games. His veteran leadership was important to a team that was in a rebuild featuring Connor Bedard and it was rewarded when the Blackhawks named him captain ahead of the 2024-25 season.
That leadership came through during the Wild’s run to the playoffs where Foligno served as a presence on the fourth line and the penalty kill. He also reinforced the team’s culture that his brother, Marcus has established in Minnesota while also being a trusted voice for the Wild’s current core of superstars including Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov and Brock Faber.
The Wild’s success convinced Nick to re-sign this offseason with the potential of capturing the Stanley Cup. But set to turn 39 in October, Foligno probably won’t be able to escape the playful jabs from his five former teams in what could be his last season in the NHL.
Then again, the Wild will play the Blackhawks four times next season including the Nov. 29 and Feb. 20 matchups in Chicago and a March 23 and April 6 matchup in St. Paul. Scoring against his former team could be the best way to get some payback and perhaps help the Wild make their push back to the playoffs.
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