5. Jason Dickinson
The Dallas Stars had two first-round picks in the 2013 NHL Draft. One of them just returned to Dallas this summer after a two-year stint in the KHL (welcome back, Val). The other is Jason Dickinson.
Originally selected at 29th overall in 2013, the young forward entered the organization with high aspirations and lofty expectations. He did a good job living up to those expectations at first and worked his way from the OHL to AHL less than two years after being drafted.
His time with the Texas Stars also showed significant promise and made Dickinson an enticing choice to call up for the Dallas roster.
Da Windy City
But in 38 games with Dallas, he’s done little to nothing to make an impact and earn himself a full-time spot in the process. Three goals and five points along with a -4 rating doesn’t typically get you far, after all.
Now, like Elie, he’s been handcuffed in terms of extensive opportunity. He only skated in 27 games last year and averaged a mere 8:32 of ice time. In addition, Dickinson was also moved throughout the lineup, slotted in all offensive positions, and not given a consistent enough flow to work with. Hitchcock even acknowledged Dickinson’s constantly changing situation midway through the season but did little in trying to fix it.
“We like a lot,” said Hitchcock on Jan. 2. “We haven’t been able to create any room for him, but we like him a lot. He’s exactly what we need. He’s got size, speed, and he’s on top of you quickly. We like what he brings to the table. I think where we have not been fair to him is he’s played center all year , and then he comes up here and plays wing all the time. So this is the first real go at center ice which I think will be a good evaluation for him.”
In addition to that, Dickinson was shifted up and down between the NHL and AHL. He finished the season out with the Texas Stars and slotted in the lineup for their playoff run. But, like Elie, he left a lot to be desired with two goals and 10 points in 22 games.
Dickinson is 23 years old, owns solid size for a center, and has the tools to be a legitimate depth threat at the NHL level. He still needs to prove it, though.
As of right now, Dickinson might be starting the season at the AHL level. Depending on how things pan out with roster spots and how Montgomery likes his lineup, Dickinson might be in a battle for the healthy scratch spot on the Dallas offense. Or, he might find a way to secure the fourth line center spot and give the Stars some size and young talent down the middle.
There’s a lot of time and opportunity between now and opening night for every Dallas Stars player to stake their claim. And for the fourth line, things could really go any number of ways. It will be up to the players to sort out the confusion.
Who will be starting in the bottom six on opening night? Who will give the Stars the best chance at quality depth scoring? We’ve got 33 days to find out.