Hurricanes place Bickell on waivers to pave way for conditioning stint

Bryan Bickell is on the road back to NHL action.

His first stop will be Charlotte, where he can be assigned to the AHL's Checkers once he clears waivers, the Carolina Hurricanes announced.

Bickell has missed 48 games after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He last played on Oct. 30, and recorded one goal in seven games to begin the season.

Acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks - with whom he won three Stanley Cups - in 2016, Bickell is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

If he does indeed clear waivers, he can be down in the AHL for more than the standard two weeks afforded for conditioning stints, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.