After saying last week he hoped to return at some point this season, Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell seemingly has a rough timeline in place.
Sidelined since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on Nov. 11, the 30-year-old has been practicing in hopes of getting back to game shape. While nothing is certain, Bickell is now hopeful about returning to action after the Hurricanes' upcoming bye week.
"I feel good," Bickell said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I obviously don't feel good right now, I just got skated pretty hard, but it's going to help me down the long run. I think we're getting there and getting close to getting back in the rotation. We're shooting for probably after the bye week and then kind of day by day from there."
Bickell has one goal in just seven games this season and admitted he would be open to a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League if given the opportunity.
He also understands that factors beyond his health could impede his return.
"It all depends too on what other guys are doing if they're going on a huge streak," Bickell said. "I like to see them win. If they need me, I'm sure an extra week of me skating is not going to hurt me. We're just going to wait until after the next treatment and after the bye week and go from there."
The Hurricanes play Tuesday night against Washington and Saturday versus the Dallas Stars, and will then enjoy five days off before returning to game action Feb. 17 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Regardless of when Bickell finally returns, there will be quite a crowd in attendance.
"I've gotten a lot of texts and phone calls from family members that want to come down to see that first game when I come back," he said. "Definitely it's going to be special after the ups and downs that we've been through the last handful of months to finally get back to doing what I've done my whole life, to play hockey and to be in this league."
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