Dickinson has handled his NHL debut with the kind of quiet competence that suggests a long career ahead. One goal and 11 assists in 56 games understates his contribution – 57 shots, 56 hits, and 53 blocks from a 19-year-old rookie defender is a multi-category profile that banger league managers are likely already salivating over. San Jose has been careful not to unduly tax him, easing him in near 14-15 minutes of ice time early in the season, but he has cleared 20 minutes in three of his last four games in mid-March – a sign the coaching staff’s confidence is growing.

The departure of Timothy Liljegren via trade to Washington only accelerates that process, and a veritable smorgasbord of even strength minutes will be available to Dickinson if Vincent Desharnais and Nick Leddy also take their leave in the offseason. He won’t factor into Calder Trophy conversation in 2025-26 but Dickinson is proving he belongs in the NHL and will only grow into a larger role. The best homegrown Sharks defenseman in a generation is not an overstatement if the development arc continues. A dynasty cornerstone.

Sam Dickinson was the best player on the best team in the CHL. The London Knights defenseman scored 29 goals and 91 points in only 55 games. Only Zayne Parekh (CAL) of the Saginaw Spirit had a higher point-per-game rate among defensemen, and it should be noted that Dickinson led London while Parekh was third on Saginaw in P/GP. Dickinson won the following awards and accolades: CHL Defenseman of the Year, OHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team, OHL First All-Star Team, OHL Best Plus/Minus, and Dickinson helped London win both the OHL title and the Memorial Cup. It may have been easier to list the things Dickinson did not win than the things he did win. Dickinson has an NHL frame, at 6-3 and 205lbs, could easily be one of the best skaters in the NHL today, has an elite slapshot that even NHL goalies would fear, and has high-end playmaking. Dickinson gets a great deal of offense by jumping in on the rush, like many of the NHL’s best offensive defensemen today. Dickinson will be the best Sharks defenseman since prime Brent Burns and 102-point Erik Karlsson. Dickinson will play for the Sharks next year, barring a long-term injury.

Dickinson was drafted 11th overall by the Sharks.

Every team needs a defenseman like London’s Sam Dickinson, a player with impressive physical gifts who can defend at a high level. He has explosive strides in the first few strides and can reach a top speed rivalled by few in this draft class. Dickinson defends well and can eliminate rush opportunities using his unfair combination of length, skating, and gap control. Because of his physical tools, Dickinson can maintain wider gaps as he knows he’ll easily close in on the puck carrier. Dickinson competes well physically, which bodes well when defending in his zone. He’s not the highly cerebral playmaker like others in this class, but he generates offense in other ways thanks to a booming shot. Dickinson gets pucks through and on net and can shoot to score or create rebounds. Dickinson jumps up in the play as a trailer and can finish quickly. The biggest weakness in Dickinson’s game is his hockey sense. He can misread plays on both ends and make questionable decisions. Still, Dickinson’s physical tools, skating, and competitiveness will allow him to succeed even if his hockey sense is lacking. Expect Dickinson to go in the top 10 and be a heavy minutes eater who can also chip in about 30-40 points while at it. (April Rankings: 10th overall)