Blackhawks send Nick Foligno to play with brother on Wild - ESPN

The Minnesota Wild have traded for Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno, giving him an opportunity to play with his brother, Marcus.

The deal is for future considerations, sources said, and is viewed as Chicago doing its captain a solid so he has a chance to chase a Stanley Cup. There is no retention on the deal, as the Blackhawks have already used their three retention spots.

Nick Foligno, 38, is on the final year of a two-year pact he signed with the Blackhawks that pays him $4.5 million annually — which brings the Wild close to the salary cap and possibly done doing business, after acquiring forward Bobby Brink earlier Friday and Michael McCarron earlier in the week.

Foligno hinted at a possible move in media availability Thursday with the Blackhawks.

«It's tough,» Foligno said of his situation. «I've made it clear how much I care about this group. You feel weird when you have those hard conversations, but it's the reality of where we're sitting. There's always a personal thing you go through, too. You still want to compete, battle, and win. So, that's the fight that you have.

»I believe in this group so much. It's been an absolute honor to be the captain here. I'm still fully committed to that until I'm told otherwise. But, there's a competitor inside of you, too, that wants to play meaningful games."

Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill confirmed the trade.

«Obviously, one, I'm happy for him,» he told reporters. «As I said yesterday, I wish we were 10 points in and none of this happens, but we're not. And for an opportunity to go and play with your brother, be part of something with your brother. I've got a brother and it'd be an unbelievable thing. And so I know that means a ton to him and his family. I know how