Nerves aside, Bickell gives Hawks a solid presence
The Blackhawks recalled eight players from their minor-league team in Rockford on Wednesday for playoff insurance - a list that a few weeks ago you thought would have included Bryan Bickell.
Instead here is Bickell getting ready to play in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against Vancouver as not only a a regular, but as the first-line left wing with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
Bickell was recalled on the final weekend of the NHL season after spending most of the season in the minors and told by coach Joel Quenneville that it was for good.
When Quenneville made some lineup changes three games into the first-round against Nashville with the Hawks down 2-1 in the series, Bickell essentially replaced Ben Eager and was plus-4 in the last three games with an assist while adding a physical presence with Toews and Kane.
"When I first got here, 'Q' told me just to always be ready because you never know," Bickell said. "Then we went down 2-1 in the series and he told me there was going to be some changes and it's been working out good so far."
Toews and Kane combined 6 goals and 15 points in the first round.
"I just do the little things and they do all the big things and it works out for me," Bickell said.
"All my friends from back home keep calling me saying, 'How do you like playing with those two guys.' Well, it's amazing. It feels like I'm on cloud nine right now to be in the playoffs and play with those two is a great opportunity for me."
Bickell is only helping improve his chances of being a regular next season, particularly with the Hawks' salary cap issues and both Eager and Adam Burish set to become free agents.
"I just need to keep on doing what they want me to do and hopefully one day I will be here," said Bickell.
Quenneville likes everything the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Bickell brings to the table.
"We like his size, his patience with the puck and he's physical," Quenneville said. "That line has been pretty effective for us the last couple games.
"Bick, more than on a need basis, every time he plays things happen."
The Hawks know they must be more physical against the Canucks than they were in the first round with the Predators. It's also going to be Bickell's job to help protect his two star linemates from the Canucks' hitters.
"I know they can protect themselves, but if stuff gets out of hand I'm there behind their back," Bickell said. "I'm always there, basically."
Bickell had a hand in one of the Hawks' biggest wins of the season over the Canucks on Nov. 22, when he scored the only goal at GM Place in a 1-0 shutout by Antti Niemi.
Bickell figures he'll be nervous before Game 1, but it probably won't be anything like it was on Monday in Nashville.
"The last Game 6, I didn't get any sleep I was so nervous," he said. "I was all adrenalin. Just to be there and shake the hands of the other team after the first round was a great opportunity for me."