The Blackhawks should bring back Patrick Kane because Connor Bedard could use the veteran guidance

Connor Bedard's sophomore season in the NHL has been anything but smooth.

The 19-year-old entered his second season in the NHL, facing criticism from former NHL stars and analysts. Not to mention, he's been frustrated with NHL officials on the ice and earning back-to-back 10-minute game misconducts.

Chicago Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick criticized Bedard on his podcast for disrespecting him at the Winter Classic.

Roenick claimed that Bedard failed to acknowledge him and other Blackhawks alumni, saying, "All the players came up to me, [Chris Chelios], [Denis Savard], except one...that was Connor Bedard." Roenick also mentioned that Bedard's behavior could impact his role as a future captain.

Roenick isn't the only one criticizing Bedard.

Mark Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Famer, criticized Bedard's defensive play that led to a goal by Sam Reinhart in the Blackhawks 5-1 loss to the Panthers on Feb. 1. Messier said Bedard was "soft on his stick" during the play and added that "the excuses for a young player are over."

PK Subban, a former Norris Trophy winnning defenseman, added that what Bedard had to go through so far in his career was the same for Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid.

Last but not least, Paul Bissonnette called Bedard's play "soft" and said that it was "pond hockey" in the Blackhawks 4-3 overtime loss to the Oilers on Feb. 5.

Connor Bedard has that "Mamba Mentality" in him and he wants to win but is having a struggling season.

One former Blackhawk knows what it takes to turn things around.

Patrick Kane, who's in the final season of his $4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, will be a unrestricted free agent this summer. The Blackhawks stated before that they weren't planning to bring him back, but is it time to reconsider?

Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion (2010, 2013, and 2015), understands what it takes to lift Chicago from a rebuild to a contender. He's been in Bedard's shoes as a young No. 1 overall pick, and he climbed his way to the top. He scored the Stanley Cup game-winning goal in game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final to end the Blackhawks 49-year cup drought. All of his leadership qualities would benefit not just Bedard but for the rest of the team.

Nick Foligno is the current captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, but is he the right man for the job? According to PuckPedia, Chicago is projected to have more than $24 million in cap space, providing flexibility and room to make a move.

Trading Foligno, whose $4.5 million contract runs through the 2025-26 season, could clear the way for Kane to return as a mentor, leader, and role model that the Blackhawks need.