Report: Blackhawks Place Bryan Bickell On Waivers
(CBS) The Blackhawks have placed winger Bryan Bickell on waivers, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
It's not expected that another team will pick up Bickell, because he underachieved last season and carries a salary cap hit of $4 million. He had 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 80 games last season.
If Bickell, 29, clears waivers, the Blackhawks can then send him down to AHL Rockford. That would provide Chicago with $950,000 of cap relief, according to generalfanager.com.
The Blackhawks have been in a cap crunch since winning their third Stanley Cup in six seasons this past June. They have to be under the salary cap by opening night next Wednesday. As of late Friday morning, Chicago's current roster was about $190,000 over the cap, according to generalfanager.com.
Bickell has been the subject of many trade talks for the Blackhawks, but they haven't found any takers to date.
Bickell was on the ice with his teammates at Friday morning's practice, according to reporters on the scene.
Chicago plays its final preseason game Saturday.