Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Bickell Wants To Stay In Chicago

06/11/2013 at 6:59pm EDT

from Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago,

"Yeah, definitely, (I'd like to re-sign with the Blackhawks)," Bickell said during the Stanley Cup finals media day. "I got drafted in '04 with this team. I think this is a second home to me. To be brought up through the minor leagues and being here the last couple years has been an honor. I feel this is a home to me. I have a lot of friends and family with me in the city. I enjoy it a lot here."

Bickell laughed when asked if he'd be willing to give the Blackhawks a hometown discount. He is making $600,000 this season and is expected to receive a hefty raise due to his playoff performance, which has included eight goals and five assists in 17 games and has him in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

"I don't know about that," Bickell said of giving the Blackhawks a hometown discount. "We'll see. We're just concentrating on the finals. Me and my agent will come together, and we'll negotiate that at the end of the season."

Blackhawks general manger Stan Bowman made it sound Tuesday as if Bickell was in the team's future plans.

"He's been with us for a long time and worked his way here," Bowman said. "I think in a lot of ways it's nice to see him finally put all the pieces together. We've known he's had this capability for a long time. Proud of him, proud of the way he's played. He's a nice element to our team. We're excited that he's coming into his own. He's been a big part of the success we've had this year and looking for that going forward as well."

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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