Clik here to view.
The Chicago Blackhawks have come to terms on a contract extension with forward Bryan Bickell, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.
The two sides have reportedly agreed to a four-year, $16 million contract that will carry an annual average value of $4 million against the salary cap. Bickell played out the final-year of a three-year, $1.6 million deal that carried an annual average value of $541,667 in 2013 and was expected to receive a substantial raise this summer, whether from the Blackhawks or a suitor on the free agent market come July 5.
Prior to the agreement, manager Stan Bowman traded forwards Dave Bolland and Michal Frolik in separate deals during the 2013 NHL Draft. In return for the players, the Blackhawks received picks. The goal of these deals was to seemingly free up salary cap space to sign Bickell to an extension.
In 48 games in 2013, Bickell registered 23 points (nine goals and 14 assists) and averaged 12:48 of ice time in the regular season. In the team's run to the Stanley Cup, Bickell recorded the second most points on the team with 17 (nine goals, eight assists) and averaged 15:22 of ice time in 23 games.
