F Jason Dickinson agrees to new 2-year contract with the Blackhawks
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The Blackhawks have agreed to a two-year contract with Jason Dickinson, handing out another extension to a veteran forward.
The 'Hawks announced the deal on Tuesday. It runs through the 2025-26 season and carries a salary-cap hit of $4.25 million.
"This is the place I want to be," Dickinson said after the morning skate. "This takes the trade deadline out of play a little bit. It's nice to be somewhere with a little continuity."
Dickinson has been one of the biggest bright spots for the Blackhawks this season - already with a career high 14 goals - and now the 'Hawks have rewarded him with a new two-year, $8.5 million contract extension.
Dickinson was acquired by the Blackhawks in an October 2022 trade with Vancouver. He had nine goals and a career-best 21 assists in his first season with the 'Hawks.
"Things could've turned out much differently this year, had I not been given the opportunity here," said Dickinson. "You know, it's coming together at the right time, and it's working, and line mates that are clicking – we're going really well together. So I think it's just a combination of everything coming together at once - not one secret recipe."
"You know, good news for sure for the organization and for the player. Happy for him," said Blackhawks Head Coach Luke Richardson. "He's always worked really hard and really well here with our group. Great leader here."
As well as Dickinson has played, he could have been a trade piece for the 'Hawks. But GM Kyle Davidson pointed to Dickinson's leadership as a key part of what the Hawks are trying to build.
"Jason adds a unique two-way game to our lineup and his compete level is consistently strong every night," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a release. "He's showing his offensive game this year, which has been a huge lift to our team. His leadership has been instrumental, and the impact has been evident around the room, particularly with our young guys."
Dickinson clearly is excited to be a part of that.
"I see something here. Not going to lie – I would've liked a few more years, because I see what's down the line. I see the potential. I see where things can go, and I would love to be a part of that," he said. "I'm a building block right now as we move forward. Who knows, in a couple years we could be talking another extension to really see things through."
The Blackhawks also finalized a new two-year contract with Nick Foligno last week. While the last-place team has struggled this season, Foligno and Dickinson have provided solid play on the ice and valuable leadership in the locker room.
Dickinson says he was very appreciative of both Foligno and Richardson speaking highly on his behalf to the Hawks front office. Asked if they'd be getting a cut of his new deal, he joked Foligno deserves some but cutting it three ways is a little much.
The 6-foot-2 Dickinson was selected by Dallas in the first round of the 2013 draft and spent his first six seasons with the Stars. He has 53 goals and 72 assists in 404 career regular-season games.
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