Bickell, despite his battle with multiple sclerosis, is bound for AHL Charlotte and eager to play in games, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bickell's apparent progress and determination to play hockey again is one of the feel-good stories of the year. His heading to the AHL will serve as a conditioning stint of sorts, and there should be plenty of eyes on him to see how he fares in minor-league action. Carolina is nearly mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so Bickell may have less than two months to try and draw into another NHL game as part of the 2016-17 campaign.