Jan. 18--For the second time this season, Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell is headed to Rockford.
Bickell, who was not at the morning skate Sunday before the Hawks took on the Canadiens, cleared waivers and was re-assigned to the Hawks' AHL affiliate.
By sending Bickell down to Rockford, the Hawks save $950,000 against Bickell's $4 million salary-cap hit as long as Bickell stays with Rockford. The Hawks could now promote someone else from Rockford, although coach Joel Quenneville said that is unlikely at this time.
"Everyone's career paths are different; it's very competitive business we're in, everybody wants to be here," Quenneville said. "We have some concerns with money and the number of players (on the roster). A lot of variables go into it, but the bottom line is it comes down to performance."
Bickell has not scored a goal this season and was a healthy scratch the last four games. Bickell battled symptoms of vertigo last season during the playoffs and throughout the summer, but Quenneville reiterated Sunday that Bickell is fine physically. Throughout the season, Bickell has said he feels fine.
"I don't want to deny him an opportunity to come back here and help us," Quenneville said. "I think he still has that ability, so how far away that is remains to be seen."
The Hawks placed Bickell on waivers at the start of the season and sent him to Rockford on Nov. 2 in an attempt to rejuvenate his game.
Bickell played well during his stint there. Bickell had seven goals and seven assists in 12 games, and the Hawks brought him back up Dec. 6, but his game flatlined, triggering the lastest move.
Winger Andrew Shaw said Bickell could get the ice time he needs in Rockford.
"It's tough to get better if you're not playing," Shaw said. "He's going to go down there and get back to enjoying the game and getting his head clear."
Gustafsson good to go: Defenseman Erik Gustafsson returned to the lineup Sunday after a two-game absence for what he said was a right knee injury. Gustafsson said he was injured Tuesday against the Predators and aggravated the injury Thursday in the morning skate before the Hawks' victory over the Canadiens in Montreal.
"I dumped the puck and I got pushed from behind," Gustafsson said. "It brought my knee right into the boards first. I didn't feel like I could play against Montreal there. It was good to sit down."
Gustafsson was teamed with Brent Seabrook as one of the Hawks' top four defensive pairings Sunday.
