The Chicago Blackhawks could use a good veteran leader like Phil Kessel
The Chicago Blackhawks have been going through it lately. There have been a lot of issues there. However, they have Connor Bedard so the only thing they should be considering right now is doing what they can to help him develop.
Bedard looks like he is the real deal. You can argue that he has been even better than expected coming into the year. At 18 years old, it is not easy but he has handled it all so well.
The Hawks brought in a few veterans to help Bedard grow his game. Three forwards (Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, and Corey Perry) who have had major success in the NHL were brought in to help him along but two of them are already done for the year.
Perry had his contract terminated for something he did off the ice. Hall is injured and is going to miss the remainder of the season. That leaves Foligno as the one left that is still there with the team. He is doing an amazing job and the Hawks need that to continue for him.
Adding someone like Kessel would be great as a replacement for Hall and Perry. There is no telling if he will replace their on-ice production but he is a better option than most of the people that will be in the lineup instead.
Unlike some other options, including Boston and Vegas, Chicago isn’t competing for the Stanley Cup this year so Kessel wouldn’t be joining a winner. However, he’d be joining a team where he can get tons of ice time. He might even be able to play with Bedard a ton which is a good thing for him.
Kessel is one of the great players to play in this league for the last 17 seasons so getting him again for 2/3 of this season would be great. Hopefully, Kessel can join a team soon.