Jason Dickinson’s Future Uncertain as Blackhawks Weigh Deadline Options
With the NHL trade deadline inching closer, Jason Dickinson finds himself in familiar territory - skating hard, playing his game, and blocking out the noise he can’t control. The 30-year-old forward is on an expiring contract, and with the Chicago Blackhawks still figuring out what direction this season is headed, Dickinson knows anything can happen over the next few weeks.
“I mean, out of my control, really,” Dickinson said after practice Wednesday. “Whatever comes and whenever they want to have discussions about what that future is, it’ll be it.”
It’s the kind of response you’d expect from a veteran who’s been through the business side of hockey before. Dickinson isn’t losing sleep over what might happen - he’s focused on what’s in front of him. Still, he’s made it clear: if the opportunity to stay in Chicago presents itself, he’s open to it.
“I’m not giving it a whole lot of thought, if I’m being totally honest, but I love it here,” he said. “I love the guys, I love the group.
I think we’re putting together something that I believe in and Blash (head coach Jeff Blashill) is somebody I believe in. So, yeah, there’s a lot to want to be a part of here, for sure.”
The Blackhawks, for their part, are still assessing their position. With the standings tightly packed and trade chatter around the league relatively quiet so far, it’s unclear whether they’ll be buyers, sellers, or somewhere in between. Dickinson, along with Ilya Mikheyev and Connor Murphy, are among the names drawing early interest from other teams - but with so many clubs still in the playoff hunt, it’s hard to predict how aggressive the market will get.
One league scout noted that this year’s deadline could be tighter than usual, with fewer players available. Teams may opt to hold onto their pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), either re-signing them or using them as “own rentals” for a playoff push. If that trend holds, prices could climb for the players who are available - a potential advantage for a team like Chicago if they decide to sell.
Youth Movement on the Horizon
If the Blackhawks do move a few veterans, it’s not just about asset collection - it’s about creating space. The organization is eyeing opportunities to give young players more NHL reps down the stretch. That could mean call-ups from Rockford, like defenseman Sam Rinzel, or possibly even late-season arrivals from overseas and college.
Anton Frondell, already under contract, is one to watch. His availability depends on how deep Djurgården goes in the SHL playoffs.
Then there’s Sacha Boisvert, a sophomore at Boston University, who could turn pro once BU’s season wraps. The pieces are there for a youth infusion - it’s just a matter of timing.
Two Deadlines, One Big Decision Window
This year’s calendar adds another wrinkle. With the Olympic roster freeze running from Feb. 4 to Feb. 22, teams face a bit of a two-stage deadline.
First comes the freeze, then the actual trade deadline on March 6. The Blackhawks play eight games before the Olympic break and four more after it - a key stretch that could help shape their deadline strategy.
“I wouldn’t say (there’s two deadlines), per se, but certainly it’s a unique year that way,” Blashill said. “There may be some activity over the next week and a half. But we’ll see.”
Blashill pointed out that general managers often return from the World Juniors with fresh evaluations and momentum for deals. Whether that leads to early movement or a late flurry remains to be seen.
Levshunov’s Shooting: A Work in Progress
One area the Blackhawks are actively working to improve is Artyom Levshunov’s shot. The young defenseman has been generating prime scoring chances but hasn’t been able to finish consistently. He’s sitting on just two goals from 62 shots - a 3.2% shooting percentage - despite getting into high-danger areas.
Levshunov and skills coach Brian Keane have been putting in extra time to address it.
“We’re working on shooting and stuff,” Levshunov said. “I need more goals. (I need) to shoot more to the net and with more power.”
Blashill sees real potential if Levshunov can refine his mechanics.
“He’s had tons of prime shot opportunities in the slot that we just want to help him,” Blashill said. “I wouldn’t say his mechanics aren’t great, but he’s so strong, he’s kind of gotten by without it. We’re trying to help his shooting mechanics a little bit to give him not just more velocity, but also more deception.”
That deception could make a major difference. According to Blashill, Levshunov could easily have 10 goals right now if he’d converted on some of those looks. It’s a reminder that development isn’t just about reps - it’s about refinement.
Dickinson’s Game-Winner: A Play Executed to Perfection
Speaking of execution, Dickinson’s game-winning goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday was a thing of beauty - and a testament to repetition paying off.
It started with a defensive zone faceoff win by Dickinson, followed by a crisp pass from Alex Vlasic to Ryan Donato. Then came the key - Donato lofted a high flip into open ice, where Dickinson had already taken off. He tracked it, settled it with a quick stick, and buried it.
“I was talking about it when I got back to the bench - how many times do I run that same route, run that same play off of a faceoff win, and the puck doesn’t get to me?” Dickinson said.
“So for it to connect and it all to come together, it’s kind of such a relief. This is why we do it 50 other times and it doesn’t happen - for that one time that it does.”
The timing, the hand-eye coordination, the finish - it all clicked. And in a tight game, it made the difference.
“That’s an interesting question,” Dickinson said when asked if the puck stop was as tricky as it looked. “I don’t think about it when I’m doing it, right?
So it’s not like I can (say) when it’s happening, oh, this is a hard one. There are times where I see the puck moving towards the net and those are the ones where I’m like, I don’t know what I’m looking at - it looks like a knuckleball.”
Hard to argue with the result. The only other tally in the game was an empty-netter.
Boisvert Brings the Edge
And if you’re wondering about Sacha Boisvert’s edge - well, he showed it recently at Boston University. College hockey fights are rare, but Boisvert dropped the gloves and earned himself a three-game suspension. His future teammate, Oliver Moore, couldn’t help but admire it.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Moore said. “Sacha can drop them.
I think he did in junior, too. So it’s really fun to see.”
As for the suspension?
“That’s a weekend,” Moore said with a grin. “That’s fine, though. I’m sure he’ll soak that.”
What’s Next
The Blackhawks are in a holding pattern - not just with Dickinson, but with the entire roster. The next few weeks will offer clarity: Are they building for the future, pushing for a surprise run, or doing a bit of both?
One thing’s for sure - players like Dickinson are staying ready, even if the future’s uncertain. And for a team trying to thread the needle between development and competitiveness, that mindset might be exactly what they need.