Frustrated, Nick Foligno critical of younger teammates after loss.
A frustrated Nick Foligno called out some of the younger members of his team on Sunday.
The youngsters on the Chicago Blackhawks roster this season are wearing thin the patience of veteran National Hockey League forward Nick Foligno.
On Sunday, Foligno and the Blackhawks faced off against division rivals the St. Louis Blues and again walked away with a loss after giving up 4 goals to the Blues and only putting up 2 of their own. It would be following that loss that Foligno would let his frustration show when speaking to reporters after the game. Although he avoided using any names, Foligno publicly called out the younger members of the Blackhawks roster who perhaps aren't NHL ready in his eyes.
"Twenty games in you kind of understand the league a little bit – or you shouldn't" said Foligno as per the Daily Herald's John Dietz. "I'm not saying it's gonna be perfect, but there's got to be a little bit more of a commitment to that."
The Blackhawks have a number of openings in their starting lineup given the mysterious disappearance of forward Corey Perry and the season-ending injury suffered by forward Taylor Hall, two experienced veterans that the Blackhawks had no doubt intended to lean on this season. Foligno was critical of some of the players that have been given opportunities in lieu of those injuries, feeling they haven't stepped up to the challenge.
"Your hair should be on fire this whole year. Because you could be a big part of building this and being a part of the future of this," said Foligno. "There is no excuse for that. Every time we step on the ice, find your motivation whatever it may be. I can think about 10 (things) already and I'm a 36-year-old guy. So that should through every guy in this room."
