Written by Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell)
After years of trying the Chicago Blackhawks have finally found a taker for Bryan Bickell and his $4 million cap hit.
The cost of doing business wasn’t cheap, though, as they had to part ways with Teuvo Teravainen in order for the Carolina Hurricanes to eat Bickell’s contract.
Going Chicago’s way, along with some cap space, is a 2nd round pick (NY Rangers 50th overall) in 2016 and a 3rd round pick in 2017.
I understand why Chicago did the deal but I don’t necessarily think this was a good move for them.
If they were to buy out Bickell they would have cleared $3 million in space this year – as opposed to $4 million for trading him – and had to eat $1.5 million in 2017-18.
In other words they saved $1 million next season and $1.5 million the year after by trading Bickell. Is that, along with a mid 2nd and a 2017 3rd, worth parting with a 21-year-old winger with loads of potential?
I don’t think so considering the majority of 2nd and 3rd round picks don’t turn into anything substantial and if they do – a big if – it takes years of development before the benefits are reaped.
From Carolina’s perspective I love this deal. They have loads of cap space so taking on Bickell’s contract isn’t a burden to them. He’ll be off the books in 2017-18, too, so when the Hurricanes are emerging and ready to take the next step, they won’t be hindered by a bad contract.
The Hurricanes are also loaded with draft picks – prior to the trade they owned more than anyone over the next three years – so parting with a couple for a young, established forward that the club can control for years to come seems like a no-brainer.
With a very good defense core and the likes of Victor Rask, Elias Lindholm, Jeff Skinner and Teuvo Teravainen leading the way up front I think the Hurricanes can make some noise sooner than later.