The Chicago Blackhawks announced Monday morning that they have recalled forward Marko Dano and have sent down forward Bryan Bickell to their AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs.
Dano, 20, was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the late June blockbuster trade that included the departure of Brandon Saad. Through nine games in Rockford this season, Dano has scored one goal and added six assists.
The Blue Jackets selected the Austrian center with the 27th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He played in 35 NHL games last year in Columbus, totaling 21 points (8G, 13A) with a +12 rating.
.@Marko_Dano is back. And he’s already smiling. pic.twitter.com/ESfGL6Cw0W
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 2, 2015
Bickell, 29, has been in and out of coach Joel Quenneville‘s doghouse for the past two seasons due to his lack of offensive production. After a breakout playoff performance in 2013 which saw him put up 17 points in 23 postseason games, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman awarded the 6’4″ forward with a four-year/$16 million contract.
In the next 139 games that followed his extension, Bickell registered a mere 43 points. Last postseason, he failed to score a goal (18 GP, 0G, 5A) during his team’s latest Stanley Cup run. This season, the Bowmanville, Ontario native has been held off the scoresheet entirely throughout the seven games he has drawn into with a -3 rating.
It was rumored throughout the offseason that the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers made deals to Chicago for Bickell’s services, but both deals fell through. He is one of the few current Blackhawks on the roster that has been a part of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 championship teams.
The Blackhawks are set to take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the United Center at 8:30 P.M. ET. Dano was at the Blackhawks morning skate Monday, donning the number 56. Marian Hossa, who was listed as questionable yesterday, did not skate.
