Report: Coyotes could have interest in Blackhawks' Bickell
The desert could be a good fit for Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell.
With the Blackhawks close to the cap and in need of some salary relief, the club could have to part with Bickell - and if so, the Arizona Coyotes could be the perfect suitor.
"Arizona is a team that's going through another rebuild, trying to expedite the process," Darren Dreger told TSN 1260 Radio Tuesday. "Whether this comes to fruition or not, I've heard that they may have some interest in Bryan Bickell of the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago isn't looking for anything but a draft pick or draft picks in return, and maybe Arizona needs the help to get up to the floor of the salary cap as early as next season."
The Blackhawks have $64 million committed to next season and need to contend with restricted free agents Marcus Kruger, Brandon Saad, Joakim Nordstrom, and David Rundblad, as well as unrestricted free agents Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette, and Johnny Oduya, among others.
Bickell holds a $4-million cap hit, so a deal would free up some much-needed space. Meanwhile, the Coyotes will have to spend north of $18 million to reach the cap floor, which was introduced Tuesday at $52.8 million.
With the draft just days away and each team's needs set, the two could be a perfect match.
- With h/t to Today's Slapshot