Forward Bickell clears waivers, remains with Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks placed the bruising forward on waivers Friday after failing to find a trade partner. Bickell signed a four-year, $16 million contract after his strong work in the playoffs helped Chicago win the championship in 2013.

The Blackhawks trimmed their roster down to 25 today, leaving a few big names off the list.

Edmonton now has $5.1M in cap space and taking on Bickell would leave them just $1.1M and have them up against the cap.

Bickell received his contract after Chicago’s 2013 Stanley Cup run. Bickell practiced with the Hawks on Friday but didn’t address the media.

The Blackhawks also placed goalie Michael Leighton on waivers, the person said. Dano is a 20-year-old Austrian who was acquired in a trade that sent Brandon Saad to Columbus.

His production dropped off a year ago when he finished with 14 goals and 28 points in 80 games. “I think he can be a factor and we need him to be”.

“There are a lot of guys who were in the same boat”.

Bickell could have been sent down to Rockford of the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers on Saturday, but coach Joel Quenneville says he is staying and would play against in the Blackhawks’ exhibition game against Dallas. Defensemen Erik Gustafsson and Ville Pokka have also been demoted to Rockford.

With Michal Rozsival and Kyle Cumiskey injured, it would appear David Rundblad, Viktor Svedberg and Trevor van Riemsdyk will make up the back end of the blue line for the Hawks to start the season.