The Chicago Blackhawks were desperate to unload the final year of Bryan Bickell’s contract from their books, and on Wednesday they did just that as they traded the winger, along with Teuvo Teravainen, to the Carolina Hurricanes.
In exchange, the Blackhawks received a second round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, a third round pick in the 2017 draft, and a bit of salary cap breathing room for next season.
“I would like to thank both Bryan and Teuvo for their contributions to the Blackhawks organization,” G.M. Stan Bowman said in a statement. “Both players were drafted by our organization and developed to play important roles on Stanley Cup championship teams. We wish them the best as they continue their careers in Carolina.”
Reports had been swirling that it would be necessary to include Teravainen in a Bickell trade, due to the forward’s large contract for next season. Bickell is owed $4.5 million for next season, the final year of a four-year deal he signed with the Blackhawks in 2013, and although his cap hit is only $4 million, it represented a tough sell on the trade market.
