As the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline looms on March 6, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in a familiar position-on the outside looking in. With a 21-23-8 record and five points separating them from a playoff spot, the writing on the wall suggests they’ll be sellers once again.
And one name that could start to surface in trade talks? Jason Dickinson.
At 30 years old, Dickinson isn’t lighting up the scoresheet-six goals and 10 points in 38 games-but that’s not where his value lies. He’s a dependable third-line center who brings structure to the penalty kill, wins faceoffs, and plays with the kind of defensive responsibility that contending teams crave down the stretch.
His contract is up at the end of the season, which makes him a rental option with no long-term cap implications. For a rebuilding team like Chicago, moving a veteran like Dickinson could be a smart play to stockpile future assets.
The Blackhawks currently hold over $12 million in cap space, giving them flexibility-not just to move Dickinson, but to potentially take on salary in return and sweeten the deal. If they play their cards right, they could turn a role player into a meaningful piece for the future.
Here are three teams that could make sense as trade partners for Dickinson as the deadline approaches:
1. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are in full-on win-now mode, chasing a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. With Connor Brown walking in free agency last summer, Edmonton lost a key penalty killer and depth forward.
Dickinson could step right into that role. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, and in the postseason, that kind of player often proves invaluable.
Slotting him into the bottom six would give the Oilers another veteran who can take defensive-zone draws and kill penalties-two areas that become magnified when the games get tighter in April and May.
2. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado’s top-end talent is as good as it gets, but they’ve always prioritized depth and defensive structure when building out their roster. Dickinson checks both boxes.
He wouldn’t be asked to do too much, but he could stabilize a bottom-six unit and bring some playoff-tested grit. A potential package could involve center Jack Drury and a third-round pick-reasonable value for a rental who can help in the margins.
The Avalanche are expected to be active buyers at the deadline, and Dickinson fits the mold of the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off in the postseason.
3. Dallas Stars
A reunion in Dallas? It’s not out of the question.
Dickinson spent six seasons with the Stars, appearing in 221 games and racking up 63 points before being traded to Vancouver and eventually landing in Chicago. The Stars are once again among the league’s elite, but after three straight Western Conference Final exits, they’re looking for that final push.
Dickinson knows the system, fits the locker room, and could add a steady presence to their bottom six. It’s a low-risk move that could help solidify their depth for a long playoff run.
For Chicago, moving Dickinson isn’t just about clearing a roster spot-it’s about continuing to build for the future. This is a team that’s clearly trending upward.
The days of relying on a veteran-heavy core are behind them. The young talent is starting to take on more responsibility, and the results are slowly starting to show.
They're not where they want to be yet, but they're better than they were last season-and that matters.
So don’t be surprised if Dickinson is on the move before March 6. He’s the kind of player who might not make headlines on deadline day, but come playoff time, he could be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep run. And for the Blackhawks, any return that adds value to their long-term plan is a step in the right direction.