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NHL Rumors: Bryan Bickell wants trade from Chicago Blackhawks

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) with the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) with the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell has his agent searching for a trade that will keep him in the NHL

The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Bryan Bickell are in a bit of an awkward situation. Bickell’s performance so far this season has been quite underwhelming. The Blackhawks are a team that operate close to the salary cap ceiling. Bickell’s $4 million cap hit makes his contract very tough for the Blackhawks. He is due $9 million through the 2016-2017 season. He will become a free agent after the 2016-2017 season.

The situation has been tough on both sides. Bickell’s agent, Todd Diamond, has been seeking a trade ever since he was recently sent down to the American Hockey League.

"“If we are watching things with our eyes open, it’s pretty clear that I would say his future is likely not with the Blackhawks,” Diamond said, via Chicago Sun Times. “Hopefully, we can work out a trade. But making trading these days in the NHL can be a time-consuming process where in the past you could just move bodies around much easier. Now it’s not just a hockey trade, but it’s also a financial trade. Sometimes it can take a couple days or it can take months.”"

Bickell can still be a solid third or fourth line forward for most NHL teams, but that cap hit makes his contract a bit of an issue. Bickell has two points in 23 games this season for the Blackhawks. In his career, he has 135 points in 382 NHL games. He was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft.

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