BREAKING: Phil Kessel Replaces Corey Perry As Connor Bedard's Mentor? Report Emerges Revealing Kessel May Be Heading To Chicago

Since Patrick Kane signed in Detroit, Phil Kessel has become the top free agent still available. At 36 years old and with just under 1000 points on his resume, Kessel has the experience to mentor just about anybody in the NHL.

A recent report has emerged showing that the future Hall of Famer will likely sign in Chicago.

With Chicago, Kessel may not be competing for the playoffs but if the Blackhawks make it clear that they want to have Kessel as a short-term option that gets moved out to a contending team at the trade deadline, it may entice Kessel enough to sign.

The Blackhawks currently are without much of the veteran presence they started the year with as Taylor Hall has gone down with a season-ending injury and Corey Perry has had his contract terminated. The main veteran mentoring Connor Bedard right now is Nick Foligno but despite over 1100 games in the NHL, Foligno has yet to get a Stanley Cup.

With Kessel having three cups of his own, he knows what it takes to win it all in the NHL. Kessel also holds the record for the longest Ironman streak, a feat not easy to achieve.

Only time will tell if Kessel signs with Chicago but the prospect of him mentoring Bedard will almost definitely be something GM Kyle Davidson looks into.

As seen on Hawks Insider - RUMOR: Chicago Blackhawks sign free-agent 3x cup champion Phil Kessel