ST. LOUIS — Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is taking a leave of absence because his 12-year-old daughter is having follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease.

The team made the announcement on Wednesday. The organization had no further comment.

Foligno, who turns 38 on Oct. 31, is in his third season with Chicago. He played for the Leafs for a short period after being acquired at the 2021 trade deadline. The forward has no goals and two assists in four games with Chicago this season.

The Blackhawks were at St. Louis on Wednesday night.

“He’s a great, elite leader. He’s an extension of the coaching staff,” coach Jeff Blashill said of Foligno. “And, so, now I think we have other guys in the room that can help pick it up. It’s like, as if he was injured, just next man up h

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