The Chicago Blackhawks have a big season in front of them. The organization is committed to building through drafts, with a large number of draft picks ready, or an NHL ready cusp. Many young players will have a chance to succeed this season. Some become everyday players, while many others will make their NHL debut. Meanwhile, a small group of veterans will be appointed to help young people find their way.
In this series, we will be in the 2025-26 campaign, and we will preview each player expected to be in the roster and their roles on the team. Today, we highlight forward Jason Dickinson.
Dickinson Numbers
Drafting: 29Th Overall (1Yingshi Round) 2013 Dallas Stars
Location: Center (shoot left)
Height/weight: 6 feet 2,200 lbs
Age/Birthday: 30 years old (July 4, 1995)
nation: Canada
2024-25 Data: 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points in 59 games
Career Statistics: 68 goals, 87 assists, 155 points in 502 games
Related – Blackhawks’ 2025-26 player preview: Teuvo Teravainen
How did he get here
Dickinson was drafted and spent his first six seasons of his NHL career in the stars, where he established himself as a solid two-way forward. In the club’s three most productive seasons, the leap of 2018-2021, he amassed 22 goals and 36 assists in the regular season games, scoring 58 points. He also added five goals and nine points in 40 playoff games in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Now, those numbers don’t exactly jump out of the first-round pick on the page. But Dickinson made some good contributions on the defensive end. In the same three-year range, he was blocked with 154 shots and 273 hits. Oh, and there are 105 takeaways! He added 45 blocks in the playoffs, 92 hits and 17 takeaways. It’s safe to say that Dickinson is a solid player in Dallas.
Alas, at the end of the 2020-21 season, the stars faced a difficult decision. They won’t protect Dickinson in the expansion draft, so they traded him to the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft. He has been underperforming against Garner, recording only five goals and 11 points in 62 games. Although, his secondary statistics are consistent with his time in Dallas. He registered 43 blocks, 101! Hit and 20 takeaways.
In October 2022, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson used the canopy-split canons to win Dickinson and secured a 2024 second-round draft pick for defenseman Riley Stillman. Dickinson has been a solid addition ever since, scoring 30 points in the 2022-23 season and 22 goals and 35 points in the 2023-24 season. Yes, it’s a season that requires Ontario to step out of its comfort zone on a very offensively challenging Black Hawks team. He responded admirably.
Related – Jason Dickinson remains a valuable asset to the Chicago Blackhawks
This allowed Dickinson to extend the two-year extension, with the organization at $4.25 million per quarter, a considerable upgrade to his previous $2.65 million AAV contract. The Blackhawks chose Dickinson to stick with the franchise and became one of their senior leaders.
Dickinson’s role in 2025 – 26
The 2024-25 season is not that friendly to Dickinson. He handled a high canister sprain and then a wrist injury, limiting 59 games with just seven goals and 16 points. But let’s remember that the offensive aspect of the offense is not Dickinson’s purpose here!
Even with limited competition time, the 30-year-old is a valuable member of the fine killing. He also started in the 74.6% zone, starting in the defensive zone (most on the team), which made his Minus-11 plus/sinus rating commendable. Eventually, he achieved the biggest standoff in the team (916), and his 49.5% success rate led the team. Considering that this is something the rest of the team lacks, he will likely be leaning on the DOT again.
In the upcoming season, Dickinson hopes to be fully healthy and continue his most comfortable role. Prevent the defense from moving forward. He said a lot in his exit interview in April.
Next year, I think I will continue to be in the same position I like to fill. I want to participate in those competitions. I want to be the third line, two-way center, and can kill people. Hard work. That’s where I think it will stay with me.
Considering that the team will have a lot of young talent and try to take over the positions of most of the top six forwards, Dickinson’s advantage will make sense. After all, someone has to do “hard work”. Maybe someone you want! Time will tell if new head coach Jeff Blashill agrees.
