Over the course of the next month, Chicago Hockey Now will be profiling every Chicago Blackhawks player from the 2023-24 season. Today will be forward Jason Dickinson.
Jason Dickinson
Left Wing/Center
Games Played: 82
(Goals – Assists – Points): 22-13-35
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26 ($4.25M AAV)
The Short View
The Chicago Blackhawks had their fair share of issues during the 2023-24 season–specifically when it came to winning games. Jason Dickinson was never one of those issues–and if anything–was one of the best, most consistent players all season long.
To help get through that difficult season, especially with a star like Connor Bedard in the middle of it all, a guy like Dickinson adds the smarts and the skills to help a Bedard along. Dickinson played all 82 games and followed up a career year in 2022-23 with another in 23-24.
The Long View
During the season, the Chicago Blackhawks were seen as sellers from the start and Jason Dickinson was pegged as potential trade bait. However, they figured that the production and leadership that he was providing were worth keeping around. They decided to give him a two-year extension mid-season.
Now, Dickinson will be with the team to help them develop over the next handful of years. He has shown throughout his NHL career that he could play in a bottom-six role or he could play alongside someone like Bedard if needed.
Dickinson knows how to be there for the younger guys and protect them a little bit on the ice. The fact that he scored 22 goals with them this season is a major bonus.
Will Dickinson play for a winning Blackhawks team? There is a chance that will happen if Kyle Davidson keeps finding the right vets to fill in with a budding roster of young players.
The Bottom Line for Jason Dickinson
Over the next two seasons, the Blackhawks need similar production from Jason Dickinson. He doesn’t need to be a star player but his strong two-way play could help the young Blackhawks reach the playoffs sooner.
As Bedard gets better and becomes a superstar in the NHL, there will need to be support on the team. Guys like Dickinson can provide that. His stable leadership and ability to block out the noise–especially with a lot of losing, is what provides tremendous value to the team.
So when Dickinson was asked at locker clean out about playing in what was the final year of his contract, he didn’t even blink. He attributed his attitude to “just coming in and playing” and boy, was he rewarded financially for that.
“I loved that they appreciated what I was doing and that they wanted to see me stick around,” Dickinson said. “That was the biggest thing. I want to play for people that want me to be there, and I love that they’re backing me and are in my corner, so it was a pretty easy decision to stick around for a couple more years and try to help right this and get this thing going in the right direction.”
That’s exactly what one wants from veteran leadership on a team trying to turn things around. Never mind the fact that his numbers would garner him Selke consideration–if not a win–if the team was more successful. Dickinson is a bonafide two-way center who played against the best while succeeding against them. The Blackhawks hit the jackpot–netting a second-round pick just to take him from Vancouver.
Jason Dickinson is proving to be a great piece for this team. As the team continues to grow, he’s going to flourish as they do and then snag a Selke if that trajectory continues to rise.
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