The San Jose Sharks are poised to make a critical decision regarding rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson as he prepares to play his ninth game of the season against the New Jersey Devils on October 26, 2023, at SAP Center. Should Dickinson take the ice in a tenth game, the first year of his entry-level contract will commence, requiring him to remain on the Sharks’ roster for 40 games to accrue a season towards unrestricted free agency.
If the Sharks opt not to retain him, Dickinson will return to his major junior team, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. This decision comes amidst the Sharks’ busy schedule, which includes upcoming matches against the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings over the weekend.
Dickinson, 19, has participated in eight of the Sharks’ ten games this season, averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time. Although he is still seeking his first NHL point, his performance metrics are promising, highlighted by a Corsi-for percentage of 52.46, according to Natural Stat Trick. He has primarily played on the Sharks’ third defensive pair.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky emphasized the importance of Dickinson’s engagement during Thursday’s pre-game comments. “We’re going to see how engaged he is,” Warsofsky stated. He detailed the criteria for evaluation, including Dickinson’s execution of breakouts, adherence to team structure, and consistency throughout the game. Warsofsky acknowledged that while mistakes are expected, they should decrease over time.
In a conversation with Bay Area News Group, Dickinson shared that he has not received any updates from general manager Mike Grier regarding his future with the team. “Just continue to get more confident with the puck and in my abilities,” he remarked. Dickinson aims to enhance his performance, particularly in the offensive zone and during defensive plays.
For this game, Dickinson will partner with Shakir Mukhamadullin, who returned from injured reserve earlier that day. Mukhamadullin, a first-round draft pick by the Devils in 2020, has been sidelined since the Sharks’ season opener on October 9, 2023, after missing several games due to injury.
Warsofsky expressed confidence in Mukhamadullin’s readiness, noting, “There will be some moments where he’ll have to get the rust off a little bit, but we feel pretty comfortable with the way he’s looked and worked to get back from this injury here.”
To accommodate Mukhamadullin’s return, the Sharks placed Adam Gaudette on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury sustained during a game against the Minnesota Wild. Gaudette is expected to be sidelined for at least another week.
Additionally, rookie center Michael Misa, who has participated in six NHL games this season, will be a healthy scratch against the Devils. Patrick Giles, recently recalled from the Barracuda, will center the Sharks’ fourth line alongside Ryan Reaves and Barclay Goodrow.
As the Sharks navigate this pivotal moment in their roster decisions, all eyes will be on Dickinson’s performance against the Devils, which may shape his future with the team.
