February 14, 2025
Jason Dickinson can ‘see what’s down the road’ for the Chicago Blackhawks after agreeing to a 2-year extension

Jason Dickinson has a definite imaginative and prescient of what the Chicago Blackhawks may appear to be two years from now — a imaginative and prescient that now contains him.

“You’re sitting right here (at present) speaking about potential — that is what he may be, that is what he’s going to do — you’re going to begin seeing it,” the Hawks ahead stated Tuesday. “That’s going to be the most important distinction.

“They’ve constructed an enormous community of prospects. … It’s going to be these guys that come ahead that push the staff forward.”

Whereas Dickinson can see the Hawks signing a high-scoring ahead or high defenseman in free company, “it’s going to be primarily constructed contained in the locker room, constructed contained in the group,” he stated. “Simply gamers rising, getting higher and taking up extra of the burden.

“Proper now you’ve received a younger man that’s received to play 25 minutes an evening, generally perhaps a little bit bit out of his factor. In two years, that’s going to be his factor. He’s going to be assured and he’s going to thrive in it.”

Dickinson, 28, hopes to be one of many catalysts to assist get them there. He and the Hawks agreed to phrases on a two-year, $8.5 million contract, the staff introduced Tuesday.

The deal carries a $4.25 million annual salary-cap hit and retains Dickinson in Chicago by way of the 2025-26 season.

Dickinson wished extra — not essentially more cash however extra time.

“I see one thing right here,” he stated. “I’m not going to lie, I’d’ve preferred a number of extra years as a result of I see what’s down the road. I see the potential, I see the place issues can go and I’d like to be part of that.”

However he appreciates the dedication the Hawks confirmed.

“It’s good to be someplace you’re wished,” he stated. “I’m appreciative of (normal supervisor) Kyle (Davidson) and his staff and my guys for getting one thing performed as a result of it’s a spot I need to be.”

Heading into Tuesday’s house sport in opposition to the San Jose Sharks, Dickinson had a career-high 14 targets — on tempo for 27 this season — together with seven assists.

“Jason provides a novel two-way sport to our lineup and his compete stage is constantly sturdy each night time,” Davidson stated in an announcement. “He’s exhibiting his offensive sport this yr, which has been an enormous elevate to our staff.

“His management has been instrumental, and the influence has been evident across the room, significantly with our younger guys. We’re excited to deliver him again and to see him proceed to develop with our staff.”

In some methods, Dickinson’s ascension got here out of nowhere.

He was a first-round draft choose in 2013 by the Dallas Stars, who shipped him to the Vancouver Canucks in July 2021 to keep away from doubtlessly shedding him for nothing to the Seattle Kraken within the enlargement draft.

Dickinson floundered in his one season in Vancouver — 5 targets and 6 assists in 62 video games — and the Canucks traded him and a 2024 second-round choose to the Hawks on Oct. 7, 2022, for defenseman Riley Stillman and cap house.

“Issues might’ve turned out a lot in another way this yr had I not been given the chance right here,” Dickinson stated. “I might’ve been struggling there nonetheless. I might’ve turned issues round there as nicely, although. We’ll by no means know what would’ve come of it had I not been given the possibility right here and turned issues round.”

He did so by hunkering down and refining his offensive sport.

That and “a ton of confidence,” Dickinson stated. “That’s No. 1. After which alternative. … It’s not one secret recipe that I can pinpoint for you, nevertheless it’s simply all the pieces coming collectively on the proper time.”

His career-best numbers — in addition to his skill to play up and down a lineup, take faceoffs and be a part of a penalty kill — may need drawn curiosity from different groups because the March 8 commerce deadline drew nearer.

So it speaks volumes that the rebuilding Hawks, who within the final two years hadn’t met a pending free agent they wouldn’t flip for draft picks, opted to not money in on his worth. And it provides Dickinson peace of thoughts.

“That does take a little bit little bit of the convenience of commerce deadline out of it,” he stated.

Blackhawks forwards Nick Foligno (17) and Jason Dickinson (16) after a loss to the Wild on Dec. 3, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn.

Dickinson quietly established himself this season as a locker-room chief together with occasional linemate Nick Foligno, whom the Hawks prolonged Friday with a two-year, $9 million deal.

“It’s superior,” Philipp Kurashev stated of the strikes. “These guys are wonderful guys.”

Kurashev stated each gamers occupy “large” roles within the locker room.

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“Simply the best way they deal with everybody and the best way they they need to assist everybody,” he stated. “They’re so vocal (as) leaders and I positively look as much as them and attempt to take issues from them in that facet. So it’s been actually enjoyable taking part in with them.”

Coach Luke Richardson stated Dickinson and Foligno have earned respect with the teaching employees too.

“We open up to them loads to go messages on by way of the staff and the place we wish that management and examples to be and what we want,” he stated. “They don’t simply say, ‘Oh, sure,’ and go forward and do it. They ask questions and provides their opinions, and we worth that.

“If all the pieces’s, ‘Yeah, OK, yeah, OK,’ they usually go do it, we’re not getting a really feel of the dressing room. … For us to teach correctly with the group of fellows, we have to have some suggestions.”

It’s a part of the funding Dickinson has made within the staff, and he sees room to construct on that funding.

“They’ve invested two years in me,” he stated, “so now it’s my job to assist increase the extent and preserve giving again what I can to make it worthwhile.”