Bickell getting closer to returning
Bryan Bickell wishes he were playing Saturday night in Toronto in front of family and friends, but first things first.
That means getting healthy.
Bickell returned to practice Friday with the Blackhawks for the first time since he hurt his left knee on Nov. 18 at Colorado and is shooting for a quick return, perhaps Friday, Dec. 20, against Vancouver at the United Center.
“It felt good,” Bickell said. “I’m getting stronger and better every day. We don’t know exactly the timetable for me getting back. Watching these guys on TV lately has been fun, and hopefully they can keep it up and when I do get healthy I can help.
“The chemistry we have right now through all the lines is good and hopefully I can come in and bring my physicality.”
Bickell is no stranger to playing hurt, but he felt that since this is only the regular season the best thing was to play it safe and heal properly.
Last spring in the playoffs Bickell played with thumb and knee injuries and still contributed some clutch goals, such as the tying goal in Game 6 at Boston in the Finals.
“If it was the Cup Finals, you want to play that kind of hockey, but this is the regular season,” Bickell said. “We have a lot of depth and a lot of players from the minor leagues have been stepping in and filling those roles. If this were the playoffs it could be a different thing, but I’m going to take my time and make sure it’s right.
“I’ve been practicing and skating, but game situations are a lot faster and quicker. You can work out as much as you want off the ice, but to get that on-ice shape is important. It’s frustrating because you want to be out there. Seeing the smiles on the bench as of late, the games have been 6-plus goals every game and I know those are fun to be part of. I’m missing it, but it’s nice seeing the team doing as well as it is.”
Living in Orono, Ontario, which is a 45-minute drive from Toronto, Bickell was eying Saturday’s game at Air Canada Centre.
“I was looking forward to playing back home in Toronto,” Bickell said. “I played there once before so a lot of friends and family would have been there, but what’s most important is to be healthy and to be ready to get back on the ice.”
Bickell’s return will give the Hawks even more depth at forward. He is expected to slide back into the third line role at left wing with Andrew Shaw and Kris Versteeg.
“When he’s healthy we’ll put him back in there and he’ll play his regular role and regular minutes that he’s accustomed to and we’re accustomed to,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “We’ve got some options when he gets back with making different lines like we saw last year. There are a lot of options with the four lines.”
Quenneville will be happy to have Bickell’s big body back in the lineup.
“He’s got some speed, he’s got some physicality to his game, he’s got a nice set of hands, a big shot and net front presence,” Quenneville said. “You appreciate him not just making us a bigger team, but bringing us more physicality.”
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Blackhawks game day
Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre, 6 p.m. Saturday
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WGN-AM 720
The skinny: The Maple Leafs have lost three in a row and havent won in regulation in their last 12 games. Defenseman Dion Phaneuf returned Thursday from a two-game suspension for a hit on Bostons Kevan Millar. Now center David Clarkson has a hearing Saturday morning for a hit to the head of St. Louis Vladimir Sobotka on Thursday. Antti Raanta makes his fourth straight start in goal for the Hawks.
Next: Los Angeles Kings at the United Center, 6 p.m. Sunday.
Tim Sassone